Japan’s industrial robot orders and production value hit record highs for the third consecutive quarter in Q2 2026

The Japan Robot Association (JARA), chaired by Masahiro Ogawa, Vice Chairman and Executive Officer of Yaskawa Electric, released industrial robot order, production and shipment data for its member companies for the second quarter of 2026 (April–June) on July 23.

Order value rises sharply YoY

Orders totaled JPY 312.7 billion, up 40.0% YoY, while the number of units ordered reached 57,695, up 19.3% YoY. Both figures marked YoY growth for the eighth consecutive quarter.

Handling robots and electronic component mounting robots both posted strong growth. As a result, both order value and production value reached new all-time highs for the third consecutive quarter.

Production value rose 24.3% YoY to JPY 252.0 billion, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of YoY growth, while production volume increased 11.4% YoY to 51,437 units, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of YoY growth.

Total shipments rise, but domestic shipments remain sluggish

Total shipment value increased 24.1% YoY to JPY 257.7 billion, while shipment volume rose 12.2% YoY to 50,768 units. Both shipment value and shipment volume increased YoY for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Domestic shipment value reached JPY 38.3 billion, up 3.7% YoY, while domestic shipment volume totaled 7,722 units, up 7.3% YoY. Although domestic shipments returned to YoY growth, the recovery remained modest, particularly in the automotive manufacturing sector.

Export value rises steadily

Export value rose 28.5% YoY to JPY 219.4 billion, while export volume increased 13.2% YoY to 43,046 units. Both figures marked YoY growth for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Electronic component mounting robots led export growth, driven by robust demand from Asia—particularly China, Thailand and Vietnam—with significant increases also recorded in Europe and North America. Material handling robots and semiconductor-related robots also posted solid growth.

Welding robots, meanwhile, recorded YoY declines in both export value and export volume for the first time in three quarters.