Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Statistic
June 29, 2026
The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) released the final machine tool orders for May 2026. Total orders reached JPY 177.0 billion, exceeding JPY 170 billion for the third consecutive month and ranking fourth on record. The YoY growth rate exceeded 30% for the second consecutive month, extending the 11-month streak of YoY growth.
Domestic orders totaled JPY 45.3 billion, down MoM for the second consecutive month due to the extended holiday period in early May, but they exceeded JPY 40 billion for the third consecutive month. By sector, “Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport Equipment” exceeded JPY 7 billion, driven by rising demand in both the aircraft and shipbuilding fields. “Motor Vehicles” maintained the recovery trend seen since early spring at both finished vehicle and parts manufacturers, supported by ICE-related demand, while “Industrial Machinery” and “Electrical & Precision Machinery” saw broad-based demand related to data centers, power generation, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Foreign orders totaled JPY 139.6 billion, ranking third on record behind only March and April. The YoY growth rate exceeded 30% for the third consecutive month as activity remained strong. North America continued to show robust demand, led by aerospace, energy, job shops, and defense-related sectors. In Europe, orders in Germany were sluggish due to delays in subsidy disbursement, and inflationary pressures linked to developments in the Middle East were more evident than in other regions, with orders falling below JPY 20 billion for the first time in three months. In Asia, “Industrial Machinery,” “Motor Vehicles,” and “Electrical & Precision Machinery” all exceeded JPY 20 billion, and the region as a whole exceeded JPY 75 billion for the third consecutive month, with particularly strong momentum centered on China.
| Amount (million yen) | MoM change (%) | YoY change (%) | |
| Total Orders | 177,006 | 93.7 | 137.5 |
| Domestic total | 45,329 | 92.0 | 137.3 |
| Industrial Machinery | 14,549 | 92.4 | 101.5 |
| Motor Vehicles | 9,328 | 82.9 | 195.0 |
| Electrical & Precision Machinery | 5,126 | 65.7 | 106.3 |
| Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport equipment | 7,221 | 189.7 | 249.6 |
| Foreign total | 131,677 | 94.3 | 137.6 |
| Asia | 75,032 | 98.4 | 166.1 |
| Europe | 16,800 | 82.8 | 106.1 |
| North America | 37,359 | 91.0 | 113.9 |
Japan MT orders for
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