JP Market | Monthly Machine Tool Orders （August 2026)
Market Overview
The Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) reported that machine tool orders totaled ¥197.867 billion in August 2026, up 2.5% month on month and 64.7% year on year. This marked the 14th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and the second-highest monthly total on record.
Cumulative orders for January–August reached ¥1.446098 trillion, up 40.9% year on year.
Domestic Demand
Domestic orders totaled ¥51.517 billion in August, down 3.2% month on month but up 61.5% year on year. Performance varied across industries: orders from industrial machinery and automotive manufacturers declined from July, while electrical and precision machinery, as well as aircraft, shipbuilding and transport equipment, recorded monthly increases.
| Industry | Month-on-Month Change | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial machinery | -8.9% | +58.8% |
| Motor vehicles | -4.9% | +44.1% |
| Electrical and precision machinery | +18.4% | +192.6% |
| Aircraft, shipbuilding and transport equipment | +12.1% | +24.1% |
Source: JMTBA order statistics (2026)
Overseas Markets
Overseas orders reached ¥146.350 billion, up 4.6% month on month and 65.8% year on year. This marked the 23rd consecutive month of year-on-year growth and a record monthly high.
| Region | August Orders (¥ billion) | Month-on-Month Change | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | 73.860 | -1.1% | +71.0% |
| Europe | 20.307 | -12.2% | +43.6% |
| North America | 49.954 | +23.5% | +71.8% |
Orders from North America rebounded sharply, while Asia and Europe recorded monthly declines. All three regions maintained year-on-year growth.
Performance in Major Asian Markets
| Country / Market | August Orders (¥ billion) | Year-on-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| China | 47.423 | +61.7% |
| Taiwan | 3.299 | +195.1% |
| South Korea | 4.550 | +118.1% |
| India | 9.714 | +95.0% |
Source: JMTBA overseas order statistics (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Overseas orders reached a record high: North America’s 23.5% monthly increase was a major driver of the recovery in overseas demand.
- Domestic performance varied by industry: Electrical and precision machinery stood out, with orders rising 192.6% year on year.
- The order backlog continued to expand: Outstanding orders reached approximately ¥1.060 trillion at the end of August, up 45.3% year on year.
- The outlook remains subject to risks: JMTBA expects investment in AI and robotics to support demand, while highlighting developments in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding overseas demand.
*This article is reprinted from JMTBA (Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association)
Source: https://www.jmtba.or.jp/english/wjmtbap/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/JMTBA-NOTES-2026-09.pdf
