Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
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December 26, 2025
The year 2025 was a turbulent one for Japan’s machine tool and manufacturing industries. From high-profile takeover battles and aggressive M&A activity to trade disputes and tariff uncertainties, the sector faced significant challenges while celebrating important milestones. As the year draws to a close, here is a look back at the major developments that shaped the industry.
The takeover battle between Nidec and Makino Milling Machine that began late last year finally came to an end. After Nidec announced an unsolicited tender offer (TOB) in late December, Makino established a special committee in January and submitted initial requests and questions to Nidec. In February, Makino released a business plan through fiscal 2029. The two companies’ management teams met in March, and Makino announced it had received multiple other acquisition proposals.
When Nidec launched its TOB in April, Makino’s board resolved to implement defensive measures. Nidec filed for a provisional injunction with the Tokyo District Court to block these measures, but the request was denied in May, leading Nidec to withdraw its TOB.
On June 3, MM Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Asia-based investment fund MBK Partners, announced a tender offer for Makino Milling Machine. Makino expressed its support for the offer on the same day.
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The year was marked by turbulence caused by China’s export restrictions and U.S. tariff policies. On February 4, China immediately imposed export controls on five metals, including tungsten used in carbide cutting tools, triggering a sharp price surge. The move was widely seen as part of the ongoing trade friction with the United States.
Meanwhile, on February 1, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and announced an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods. In April, U.S. President Trump announced plans to implement tariffs on trading partners worldwide. The reciprocal tariff rate for Japan was initially set at 24%, but was ultimately reduced to 15% following bilateral negotiations. However, confusion continues, with machining centers being labeled as steel product derivatives and thus subject to additional tariffs.
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The Japan Machine Tool Accessory Builders’ Association (Chairman: Akihiro Teramachi, Chairman of THK) and the Japan Machine Tool Importers’ Association (Chairman: Kazuhiko Kaneko, President of Sanpo Seiki) both celebrated their 70th anniversaries with commemorative ceremonies.
The Japan Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (Chairman: Toshiyuki Sahashi, Managing Executive Officer of Sumitomo Electric Industries) marked the 10th anniversary of its founding through the merger of the Japan Tool Industry Association and the Cemented Carbide Tool Association. “To take a new step forward, we want to accelerate new initiatives,” Chairman Sahashi stated at the ceremony.
Corporate milestones were also plentiful this year: Kuroda Precision Industries, Akamatsu Electric Mfg (Osaka; President Ryutaro Akamatsu), and German manufacturer Festo celebrated their 100th anniversaries. Murata Machinery (Kyoto; President Daisuke Murata) marked its 90th anniversary, while Takahashi Machinery (Ojiya City, Niigata; President Toru Takahashi) celebrated its 70th.
The Mechatronics Technology Japan (MECT) 2025 exhibition was held from October 22 to 25 in Nagoya. A record 524 companies and organizations exhibited, and total attendance reached 77,613 — about 400 more than at the previous show.
At the opening ceremony, Chizuru Suga, Director of the Industrial Machinery Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); Shigetomo Sakamoto, President of Shibaura Machine and Chairman of the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) ; and Shotaro Miyazaki, President of Makino Milling Machine, expressed their expectations for MECT
In his opening remarks on behalf of the organizers, Shu Yasumi, President of News Digest Publishing, stated, “We hope MECT 2025 will mark a turning point toward changing this difficult situation.”
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Beyond the Makino-Nidec episode, 2025 saw a surge in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity both in Japan and overseas. In July, Switzerland’s United Grinding Group (UGG) announced the acquisition of GF Machining Solutions, the machine tool division of fellow Swiss company Georg Fischer (GF). Following the deal, UGG rebranded itself as United Machining Solutions (UMS).
In August, Korea-based DN Solutions announced the acquisition of Germany’s Heller Group. With Heller’s sales added, DN Solutions’ consolidated revenue is expected to approach 3 trillion won (approximately JPY 330 billion).
In Japan, Amada acquired all shares of H&F Corporation (Awara City, Fukui; President Yasushi Yamada), a press machine manufacturer, from Kanadevia (formerly Hitachi Zosen) in May. In July, Amada also made Via Mechanics (Atsugi City, Kanagawa; CEO Hideaki Shimizu), a printed circuit board drilling machine manufacturer, its wholly owned subsidiary.
M&A activity also extended to machinery trading companies. DMG MORI made Miyawaki Machinery (Akashi City, Hyogo; President Soichiro Nakamura) a wholly owned subsidiary in March. In February, Maruka Furusato Corporation announced that subsidiaries G-net (Osaka; President Ryuhei Furusato) and Maruka (Osaka; President Kunihiko Iida) would merge to form UNISOL, effective January next year.
Robot manufacturers were equally active. In October, SoftBank Group announced plans to acquire the robotics division of Switzerland’s ABB—one of the “Big Four” global manufacturers alongside Fanuc and Yaskawa Electric. In July, Yaskawa Electric made Tokyo Robotics (Tokyo; President Yoshihiro Sakamoto) a wholly owned subsidiary, contributing to the wave of domestic M&A activity.
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