2026 FA Industry New Year’s Reception draws 755 attendees

January 21, 2026

Active demand expected despite growing risks, with JPY 1.7 trillion in machine tool orders forecast

The 2026 FA Industry New Year’s Reception, hosted by News Digest Publishing (ND), was held on January 9 at the Nagoya Kanko Hotel in Nagoya. The event attracted 755 attendees, including business leaders from the factory automation (FA) industry. Both Dr. Shu Yasumi, President and Editor-in-Chief of ND/SEISANZAI Japan, and Shigetomo Sakamoto, Chairman of the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) and President of Shibaura Machine, presented identical forecasts of JPY 1.7 trillion for this year’s machine tool orders. SMC President Yoshiki Takada received the ND Marketing Grand Prize, along with a certificate of commendation and a bronze statue. The event also featured a New Year top executive interview panel with presidents from Okuma, Makino Milling Machine, and FANUC.

Aligned forecasts point to active demand

The ND New Year Reception is characterized by participation from across the entire FA industry, transcending the boundaries of individual industry associations. Attendees are primarily from machine tool and accessory manufacturers and trading companies. In his opening remarks, ND President Yasumi expressed gratitude for the successful “MECHATRONICS TECHNOLOGY JAPAN (MECT)” held last year and commented on this year’s zodiac sign: “Hinoe-uma (Fire Horse) is said to be the most energetic of the 60 zodiac combinations.”

Following the host’s greeting, President Yasumi presented the “Industry Outlook.” He stated: “This year will see many risks but active demand. Domestic demand won’t be spectacular but we expect support from various policies. Overseas demand is active, with automobiles finally starting to move in addition to solid heavy industries.” He announced an order forecast of JPY 1.7 trillion, up 7.6% year-on-year. JMTBA Chairman Sakamoto also announced the association’s forecast at JPY 1.7 trillion, noting that recovery will gradually become clearer in the latter half of the year. “For domestic demand, over 60% of equipment has been in use for more than 10 years, and we anticipate active investment in replacing aging machinery. For overseas demand, investment-promoting tax systems are being introduced in Europe and the U.S., subsidy policies continue in China, and India remains solid,” he stated.

SMC President Takada receives ND Marketing Award

SMC President Yoshiki Takada (right) receives the bronze statue from DMG MORI Vice President and Executive Officer Katsuhisa Shimokawa (left)

At the 41st ND Marketing Award ceremony, Selection Committee Chairman Dr. Shinji Shimizu, Director of the Nippon Institute of Technology Museum of Industrial Technology and Professor Emeritus of Sophia University, explained the reasons for President Takada’s selection. “The award recognizes the establishment of a global sales, production, and logistics system, as well as significant contributions to innovative automation and energy conservation across diverse industrial sectors,” he said, praising these achievements.

President Takada received a certificate of commendation from ND President Yasumi and a bronze statue from Katsuhisa Shimokawa, Vice President and Executive Officer of DMG MORI, representing previous winner President Dr. Masahiko Mori. Attendees responded with enthusiastic applause.

In his commemorative lecture, Takada introduced the company’s initiatives: “In recent years, we have been proposing factory-wide low-pressure systems. There are methods to generate the same force even with reduced air pressure, leading to reductions in electricity costs and carbon dioxide emissions.”

The first session concluded with a New Year top executive interview where Okuma President Dr. Atsushi Ieki, Makino Milling Machine President Shotaro Miyazaki, and FANUC President and CEO Kenji Yamaguchi discussed “What to Do About the Future of the FA Industry.”

Networking reception fosters industry connections

Tokyo Seimitsu Chairman Hitoshi Yoshida leads the toast at the networking reception

The second session featured a standing reception at the same venue. ND Executive Advisor Hachiro Higuchi greeted attendees, saying: “The presidency passed to Yasumi last May, and we ask for your continued support.” Tokyo Seimitsu Chairman Hitoshi Yoshida led the toast, and attendees deepened connections and actively exchanged information throughout the venue. The event concluded with closing remarks from Kenji Takada, Chairman of the Japan Machine Tool Traders’ Association (President of Idaka Corporation) and Vice Chairman of the Aichi Prefecture Machinery and Tools Dealers Cooperative.