Japanese machine-tool builders booked ¥204.38 billion in orders in October 2026, 42.5% more than a year earlier, according to preliminary Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association (JMTBA) data reported on November 11 by FX.co and RTTNews. Growth slowed from the 60.4% rise recorded in September, and the monthly total fell 8.4% from that month's record.
The retreat was sharpest at home. Domestic orders came to ¥52.29 billion, up 46.5% on the year but down 18.2% from the ¥63.93 billion the association reported for September in its October 23 release. Foreign orders of ¥152.09 billion rose 41.1% year on year and eased only 4.5% month on month.
Overseas business supplied nearly three-quarters of the month's total, against about 71% in September.
A decline from a record is not a reversal. October's total still sits above the ¥203.38 billion booked in June, the figure that stood as the series high until September. Working back from the 42.5% rise implies a year-earlier base of roughly ¥143 billion, so the year-on-year comparison is against a much lower level than the one orders have now reached.
Orders are commitments placed with builders, not shipments, and the figures are preliminary. The initial release does not break demand down by region or customer industry, which leaves open whether the domestic drop reflects a few large September orders not repeating or a broader cooling. The association's detailed October statistics should settle that.
