Latest data released by the Japanese Machine Tool Builders' Association
![](http://az705044.vo.msecnd.net/20191009/10-9-2019-2-03-23-pm.png)
- Prior -37.0%
The reading measures the change in total value of new orders placed with Japanese machine tool manufacturers. On the month itself, factory orders improved by 11.8% but that owes largely to a sharp rise in domestic demand (+22.7%).
The overall picture still paints a bleak picture of Japanese factory conditions as exports are still massively weaker relative to a year ago.