Total orders for Japanese manufacturers of metal cutting machine tools in Q1 2026 were up +26.0% compared with Q1 2025 and rose +10.6% versus the previous quarter.
Within the total, domestic orders increased +11.8% quarter-on-quarter and +4.6% year-on-year, while export demand grew +10.3% quarter-on-quarter and surged +35.2% year-on-year. The export share reached 75% in Q1 2026, the highest level recorded since 2015.
The Japan Machine Tool Builders Association (JMTBA) publishes monthly data on orders received by Japanese manufacturers. Unlike U.S. data, it reflects activity by domestic producers rather than total market demand, and it covers only metal-cutting machine tools, with metal-forming tools reported separately. However, given Japan’s relatively low import penetration, the series is still considered a strong proxy for overall market conditions.
The industrial breakdown shows broad-based domestic strength. Compared with February, March orders rose +30.8% in industrial machinery, +7.2% in motor vehicles, +27.8% in electrical & precision machinery, and +30.6% in aircraft, shipbuilding and transport equipment.
Foreign orders rose +30.5% month-on-month to ¥143.0 billion, the first monthly increase in three months. They were also up +40.4% year-on-year, marking the eighteenth consecutive month of annual growth. By region, orders from Asia increased +36.0% to ¥75.09 billion, Europe rose +33.9% to ¥22.38 billion, and North America gained +20.4% to ¥43.06 billion, with all regions showing strong year-on-year growth. You can access the JMTBA report at https://www.jmtba.or.jp/english/category/machine-tool-orders/ or we can send you the summary of the data – contact Martin Redhead at MTA (email: [email protected]) if you want this analysis. A chart showing the 12-month rolling totals is available to download below.