Japan: The total value of machine tool orders in August was JPY128.19 billion (US$1.2 billion). This was an increase of 0.3 percent compared to July and marked the third consecutive month-on-month growth. In addition, this figure represented an increase of 35.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, with August posting the eleventh consecutive month of year-on-year growth. 

The total amount of orders has now topped JPY100 billion for 12th consecutive months and has also passed JPY120 billion for six consecutive months. 

Both domestic and foreign demands are expected to be driven by a recovery trend in the future. Foreign orders rose by 1.4 percent over July to JPY86.25 billion. This marked the third consecutive month-on-month increase. At the same time, foreign orders showed an increase of 45.7 percent over the same month of the previous year, with August posting the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. 

Finally, orders from Asia rose by 7.6 percent over July to JPY48.70 billion. This was an increase of 107.3 percent over the same month of the previous year. Orders from Europe suffered a reversal of 17.2 percent from July to JPY14.09 billion. Despite weaker figures, it was still an increase of 31.7 percent over the same month of the previous year. In North America, orders rose by 3.6 percent over July, amounting to JPY22.41 billion, a decrease of 6.0 percent from the same month of the previous year.