Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Statistic
October 26, 2026
The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) released the final machine tool order figures for September 2026. Total orders reached JPY 223.2 billion, increasing month-on-month (MoM) for the second consecutive month and year-on-year (YoY) for the 15th consecutive month, surpassing the previous all-time high set in June this year. Orders have exceeded JPY 170 billion for seven consecutive months since March, and the YoY growth rate has exceeded 50% for the fourth consecutive month, reflecting sustained demand at historically high levels.
Domestic orders totaled JPY 63.9 billion. Partly reflecting demand associated with the end of the first half of the fiscal year, orders increased MoM for the first time in three months and YoY for the ninth consecutive month, exceeding JPY 60 billion for the first time in 54 months, since March 2022. Capital equipment demand remained strong in sectors related to data centers, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and power generation, as well as in the aircraft and shipbuilding sectors. Automotive-related demand has remained broadly flat since July, but YoY growth has continued for six consecutive months, suggesting that the gradual improvement trend remains intact. As in August, energy-saving subsidy awards also appeared to be translating into orders.
Foreign orders totaled JPY 159.2 billion, exceeding JPY 150 billion for the first time and setting a new all-time high for the second consecutive month. Orders increased MoM for the second consecutive month, while YoY growth continued for the 24th consecutive month, reflecting sustained long-term growth. Each month since December 2025 has ranked among the ten highest monthly foreign order totals on record.
By region, North America exceeded JPY 50 billion for the first time, setting a new all-time high for the second consecutive month. Some business discussions held at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2026) in Chicago in mid-September are believed to have already translated into orders. Europe also exceeded JPY 20 billion for the third consecutive month. Orders in the “Industrial Machinery” category increased in the EU and the United Kingdom, while Turkey and France recorded substantial orders in the aerospace sector. Asia exceeded JPY 80 billion for the first time in three months, also setting a new all-time high. In China, automotive-related demand has eased somewhat compared with the mid-year peak, but orders in the “Industrial Machinery” and “Electrical & Precision Machinery” categories remain strong. Strong demand also continued in India, South Korea, Taiwan, and countries across Southeast Asia.
| Amount (million yen) | MoM change (%) | YoY change (%) | |
| Total Orders | 223,205 | 112.8 | 160.4 |
| Domestic total | 63,929 | 124.1 | 146.5 |
| Industrial Machinery | 26,036 | 123.5 | 161.6 |
| Motor Vehicles | 8,894 | 101.0 | 125.7 |
| Electrical & Precision Machinery | 10,708 | 109.9 | 199.5 |
| Aircraft/Shipbuilding/Transport equipment | 5,793 | 180.9 | 89.8 |
| Foreign total | 159,276 | 108.8 | 166.8 |
| Asia | 50,402 | 100.9 | 170.6 |
| Europe | 21,039 | 103.6 | 135.4 |
| North America | 83,296 | 112.8 | 167.9 |
Japan MT orders for
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