Core machine orders in Japan tumbled 9.2 percent on month in February, the Cabinet Office said on Monday - coming in at 848.7 billion yen.
The headline figure beat forecasts for a decline of 12.0 percent following the 15.0 percent gain in January.
On a yearly basis, core machine orders dipped 0.7 percent - also topped expectations for a decline of 2.4 percent following the 8.4 percent jump in the previous month.
The total number of machinery orders, including those volatile ones for ships and from electric power companies, added 4.7 percent on month and 15.5 percent on year to 1.165 trillion yen.
Manufacturing orders tumbled 30.6 percent on month and 12.3 percent on year to 321.0 billion yen in February, while non-manufacturing orders gained 10.2 percent on month and 8.7 percent on year to 531.0 billion yen.
Government orders jumped 25.9 percent on month but fell 7.0 percent on year to 239.1 billion yen. Orders from overseas added 6.3 percent on month but tumbled 31.2 percent on year to 726.7 billion yen. Orders from agencies dipped 1.8 percent on month but climbed 16.2 percent on year to 119.8 billion yen.
For the first quarter of 2016, core machine orders are forecast to have gained 6.4 percent on quarter and 5.4 percent on year.
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