JIMTOF 2026 Press Conference for Overseas Media : The Current Condition of the Japanese Machine Tool Industry
On October 28, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan, the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association (JMTBA) held a press conference to provide an update on the current state of the Japanese machine tool industry. Mr. Shigetomo Sakamoto, Chairman of the JMTBA, delivered a welcome address to the international media in attendance, while Mr. Kazuo Yuhara, President of the JMTBA, presented a report on the economic landscape and industry trends within Japan’s machine tool sector. An overview of the JIMTOF 2026 exhibition was provided by Mr. Kazuharu Iwase, Executive Vice President & CEO of Tokyo Big Sight Inc. Additionally, Mr. Katsutoshi Matsuura, Chairman of the JMTBA’s International Committee, and Mr. Masao Sugata, Chairman of the JMTBA’s Trade Fair Committee, participated in a Q&A session with the global press.
The Current Condition of the Japanese Machine Tool Industry
Monthly Machine Tool Orders (September 2026)
The total value of machine tool orders in September 2026 reached ¥223.21 billion, up 12.8% from August. This marked the second consecutive month of month-on-month growth. Orders also rose 60.4% year on year, marking the 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Total orders exceeded ¥120 billion for the 19th consecutive month, including a seven-month streak of orders exceeding ¥170 billion. At ¥223.21 billion, orders reached a record high since statistics began, surpassing the previous record of ¥203.38 billion set in June 2026.
Looking ahead, policy support is expected to provide a boost to domestic demand. However, uncertainties surrounding external demand, including developments in the Middle East, warrant close monitoring. Meanwhile, the rapid growth of the AI and robotics markets is expected to provide further support for capital investment. As the economy moves away from deflation, expectations are growing that the persistent shortfall in capital investment will be addressed and that the economy will transition more quickly toward a growth-oriented trajectory.
Domestic orders stood at 63.93 billion yen, an increase of 24.1% from the previous month, the first rise in three months and an increase of 46.5% compared to the previous year, marking the ninth consecutive month of growth. By major industry, orders for industrial machinery increased 23.5% month on month, while those for motor vehicles rose 1.0%. Orders for electrical and precision machinery increased 9.9%, while those for aircraft, shipbuilding, and transport equipment surged 80.9%.
Foreign orders rose 8.8% month on month to ¥159.28 billion, marking the second consecutive month of growth. They also increased 66.8% year on year, marking the 24th consecutive month of year-on-year growth and reaching a record high since statistics began. This surpassed the previous record of ¥146.35 billion set in August 2026. By region, orders from Asia rose 12.8% month on month to ¥83.30 billion, up 67.9% year on year. Orders from Europe increased 3.6% month on month to ¥21.04 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 35.4%. Orders from North America rose 0.9% month on month to ¥50.40 billion, up 70.6% year on year.
Source: Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association
