Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Statistic
May 19, 2026
The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) released preliminary machine tool orders for April 2026. Total orders reached JPY 188.9 billion, down 2.3% month on month but up 45.1% year on year. Although orders declined month on month for the first time in three months as fiscal year-end demand subsided, they exceeded JPY 180 billion for the second consecutive month, marking the second-highest level on record.
While orders surged in March, the strong momentum carried into April. A year-on-year increase exceeding 40% has not been seen since January 2022, when pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic peaked. This marked the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.
Month-on-month ratios for total orders, domestic demand, and foreign demand all stood at 97.7%, while year-on-year growth exceeded 40% across all three categories. For April orders, no adverse impact from geopolitical developments in the Middle East was observed in order trends.
Domestic orders totaled JPY 49.2 billion, down 2.3% month on month but up 43.4% year on year. While orders declined month on month for the first time in three months, they continued to grow year on year for the fourth consecutive month. Domestic demand, which has remained sluggish, has begun to show modest signs of improvement.
Foreign orders totaled JPY 139.6 billion, down 2.3% month on month but up 45.7% year on year. The decline from the record high reached in March was marginal, with orders exceeding JPY 139 billion for the second consecutive month.
As with total orders, foreign demand ranked second highest on record, surpassed only by the March result. Foreign orders have now exceeded JPY 100 billion for seven consecutive months, with each month since December 2025 ranking among the top five on record.
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