Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Statistic
October 1, 2026
The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) released preliminary machine tool order figures for August 2026. Total orders reached JPY 197.8 billion, rising 2.5% MoM and 64.7% YoY. Orders rose MoM for the first time in two months and continued to grow YoY for the 14th consecutive month. Despite the summer period, when orders typically ease due to seasonal factors, orders exceeded JPY 190 billion for the third consecutive month, marking the second-highest monthly total on record, behind only June of this year. With YoY growth exceeding 60% across total orders, domestic demand, and foreign demand, strong capital equipment demand remains evident.
Domestic orders totaled JPY 51.5 billion. Affected partly by the summer holiday period, orders declined MoM for the second consecutive month, but increased YoY for the eighth consecutive month, exceeding JPY 50 billion for the third consecutive month. Data center, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and power generation-related demand remained solid, while aging machine replacement activity provided support in the automotive sector. Policy support, including energy-saving subsidies, is also believed to have contributed in categories such as “Metal Products.”
Foreign orders totaled JPY 146.3 billion, increasing MoM for the first time in two months and YoY for the 23rd consecutive month, surpassing the June figure to set a new all-time high. Foreign orders have continued to exceed JPY 130 billion since March, remaining at historically high levels. Setting a new all-time high in August — when Europe and North America typically enter an extended summer holiday period — was itself exceptional. By region, North America set all-time highs since records began in both “Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport Equipment” and “Industrial Machinery.” North America as a whole reached approximately JPY 50 billion, substantially surpassing the previous record set in March this year. In Europe, Germany posted its highest figure of the year for the second consecutive month, while orders across the EU continued to improve, exceeding JPY 20 billion for the second consecutive month. In Asia, orders declined MoM for the second consecutive month due to the absence of large-scale “Industrial Machinery” orders from South Korea and Singapore seen in the prior month, but YoY growth reached approximately 70%, with overall demand remaining strong.
| Amount (million yen) | MoM change (%) | YoY change (%) | |
| Total Orders | 197,867 | 102.5 | 164.7 |
| Domestic total | 51,517 | 96.8 | 161.5 |
| Industrial Machinery | 21,085 | 91.1 | 158.8 |
| Motor Vehicles | 8,802 | 95.1 | 144.1 |
| Electrical & Precision Machinery | 9,739 | 118.4 | 292.6 |
| Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport equipment | 3,203 | 112.1 | 124.1 |
| Foreign total | 146,350 | 104.6 | 165.8 |
| Asia | 49,954 | 123.5 | 171.8 |
| Europe | 20,307 | 87.8 | 143.6 |
| North America | 73,860 | 98.9 | 171.0 |
Japan MT orders for
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