Core machine orders in Japan slipped 0.4 percent on month in February, the Cabinet Office said on Monday - worth 835.6 billion yen.
The headline figure beat forecasts for a decline of 2.2 percent following the 1.7 percent contraction in January.
On a yearly basis, core machine orders jumped 5.9 percent - also topping expectations for an increase of 4.3 percent following the 1.9 percent gain in the previous month.
The total number of machinery orders, including those volatile ones for ships and from electric power companies, dipped 1.4 percent on month but climbed 10.8 percent on year.
Manufacturing orders added 0.9 percent on month and 13.8 percent on year to 355.2 billion yen in February, while non-manufacturing orders lost 3.6 percent on month but gained 0.5 percent on year to 476.9 billion yen.
Government orders tumbled 21.9 percent on month but gained 3.2 percent on year to 270.6 billion yen. Orders from overseas climbed 8.0 percent on month and 16.0 percent on year to 1,070.3 billion yen. Orders from agencies jumped 6.1 percent on month and 5.7 percent on year to 105.4 billion yen.
For the first quarter of 2015, core machine orders are forecast to have risen 1.5 percent on quarter but lost 0.9 percent on year to 2,455.2 billion yen.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Economic News
What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.