Latest data released by the Japanese Machine Tool Builders' Association - 10 April 2019
- Prior -29.3%
Data has been released slightly earlier. The reading measures the change in total value of new orders placed with Japanese machine tool manufacturers. In terms of actual levels, machine tool orders improved from ¥109.7 billion in February to ¥130.8 billion in March - both domestic and foreign orders actually gained.
That's a welcome sign for the Japanese economy at the end of Q1 but it doesn't take away from the fact that overall conditions remain relatively subdued compared to where they were at the start of last year.