According to recent data from the
Japan Machine Tools Builders’ Association (JMTBA), the total value of machine tool orders in December 2025 was 158.64 billion yen (about £754 million). This was an increase of 15.8% compared to November 2025 and marked the first month of month-on-month growth in two months. Moreover, this figure represented an increase of 10.9% compared to December 2024 and marked the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Furthermore, total orders exceeded 150 billion yen for the first time in nine months.
The JMTBA said: “Machine tool orders in December increased from the previous month for both domestic and foreign demand, with growth in foreign demand contributing to the steady trend. Looking ahead to orders, capital investment is expected to remain strong overall amid rapidly changing social conditions, and we hope for continued demand growth in 2026.
“Domestic orders rose by 24.8% over November to 39.91 billion yen, exceeding the 35-billion-yen mark for the first time in two months. Looking at major industries, orders compared to November rose by 21.8% in industrial machinery, by 34.7% in motor vehicles, by 12.4% in electrical and precision machinery, but fell by 7.9% in aircraft, shipbuilding, and transport equipment.”
Foreign orders rose by 13.1% over November to 118.74 billion yen, marking the first month of month-on-month growth in two months. Furthermore, foreign orders showed an increase of 15.1% over December 2024, marking the fifteenth consecutive month of year-on-year growth. By region, orders from Asia fell by 3.2% from November to 52.54 billion yen. Orders from Europe rose by 22.5% to 22.22 billion yen — an increase of 35.7% over December 2024. Orders from North America rose by 40.9% compared to November, amounting to 41.46 billion yen for an increase of 29.6% over December 2024.
Machine tool orders for 2025 totalled 1,604.32 billion yen, an increase of 8.0% over 2024. As a result, 2025 achieved a year-on-year growth for the first time in three years and topped 1.6 billion yen. Total domestic orders fell by 0.2% from the previous year to 440.86 billion yen, while total foreign orders rose by 11.5% to 1,163.46 billion yen.