Japan’s industrial robot orders and production surge in Q4 2025

January 30, 2026

JARA reports sixth consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth in orders

The Japan Robot Association (JARA; Chairman: Yasuhiko Hashimoto, President and CEO of Kawasaki Heavy Industries) released the member-based industrial robot order and production figures for the fourth quarter of 2025 (October–December) on January 23.

Record-high orders and production

Orders totaled JPY 271.4 billion, up 29.1% year-on-year (YoY), with order volume reaching 54,740 units, up 17.7% YoY. Both metrics increased YoY for the sixth consecutive quarter. Electronic component mounting machines showed even stronger growth than in the previous quarter, while articulated robots remained solid, driving both order value and production value to record highs for a single quarter.

Production value increased 26.0% YoY to JPY 228.6 billion, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of YoY growth. Production volume also rose 20.9% YoY to 51,797 units, the fourth consecutive quarter of YoY increase.

Shipments driven by robust exports

Total shipment value increased 34.1% YoY to JPY 244.5 billion, and total shipment volume rose 22.7% YoY to 51,821 units. Both total shipment value and volume increased YoY for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Domestic shipments remained weak, with decreases across both major industries and major applications. Export value surged 50.2% YoY to JPY 200.8 billion, and export volume jumped 36.8% YoY to 43,753 units, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of YoY growth for both.

Electronic component mounting applications led growth driven by robust demand, with significant increases in Asia-focused shipments, particularly to China and Thailand. Additionally, shipments to Europe and North America increased substantially, with export value for this application reaching a record high for a single quarter.

Welding and material handling applications, which declined sharply last year, rebounded significantly. This rebound helped push both export value and total shipment value to record highs for a single quarter.