Japan’s machine tool orders surged by 45.1% year-on-year to JPY 188,971 million in April 2026, far exceeding market expectations and the previous month’s 28.1% rise. The latest reading marked the strongest growth since January 2022, supported by robust gains in both foreign and domestic demand. Foreign orders advanced 45.7%, following a 40.4% jump in March, while domestic orders climbed by 43.4% after a modest 2.5% increase previously. On a monthly basis, however, machine tool orders slipped by 2.3% in April, reversing from a sharp 31.9% rise in the preceding period. For the January–April period, total machine tool orders increased by 30.9% compared to the same period a year ago to JPY 674,764 million, driven by a 37.9% rise in overseas demand and a 13.5% increase in domestic orders.