Japan machine tool orders reach JPY 193.4 billion in March

May 1, 2026

Record-high orders

The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) released the final machine tool order figures for March 2026. Total orders reached JPY 193,470 million, rising for the second consecutive month and for the ninth consecutive month on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, exceeding JPY 190 billion for the first time.

Amid changes in the global business environment, machine tool orders were supported by strong capital investment, particularly from overseas.

Domestic demand supported by data center and semiconductor equipment investment

Domestic orders totaled JPY 50,473 million, up 35.8% monthon month (MoM). Orders increased for the second consecutive month on a MoM basis and for the third consecutive month on a YoY basis, exceeding JPY 50 billion for the first time in 42 months.

Strong capital investment in data centers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, power generators, construction machinery, and various motors contributed to growth in the Industrial Machinery and Electrical & Precision Machinery categories. Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport Equipment also saw steady orders, while Motor Vehicles remained firm but showed limited growth.

North America, China and India post record-high orders

Foreign orders totaled JPY 142,997 million, up 30.5% MoM. Orders increased for the first time in three months on a MoM basis and for the 18th consecutive month on a YoY basis. They exceeded the previous record of JPY 118.7 billion set in December last year by more than JPY 24 billion, marking the first time foreign demand has exceeded JPY 140 billion.

By region, North America maintained high levels of orders in data centers, energy, and aerospace-related sectors, while capital investment sentiment also strengthened among job shops, pushing orders above JPY 40 billion for the first time in three months and setting a new record for the region. Europe recorded orders exceeding JPY 20 billion for the first time in three months, supported by solid demand across the region. In Asia, China saw continued strength in automotive-related orders alongside a significant increase in electronics demand, with orders exceeding JPY 50 billion for the first time on record. India, supported by a large order in the telecommunications sector, posted orders exceeding JPY 10 billion for the first time, contributing to a new all-time high for Asia as a whole.

March Summary

	Amount (million yen)	MoM change (%)	YoY change (%)
Total Orders	193,470	131.8	128.0
Domestic total	50,473	135.8	102.5
Industrial Machinery	18,441	130.8	96.3
Motor Vehicles	8,398	107.2	70.4
Electrical & Precision Machinery	7,375	127.8	138.2
Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport equipment	2,912	130.6	93.6
Foreign total	142,997	130.5	140.4
Asia	75,091	136.0	135.3
Europe	22,377	133.9	135.4
North America	43,064	120.4	157.9