Japan’s core machinery orders posted a sharp year-on-year acceleration in February 2026, signaling strengthening corporate investment momentum in the world’s third-largest economy.
According to data updated on 14 April 2026, core machinery orders rose 24.7% in February compared with the same month a year earlier. This marked a substantial step-up from January 2026, when orders were up 13.7% year-over-year.
The comparison is based on annual changes for each month, with the “actual” figure reflecting February 2026 versus February 2025, and the “previous” reading capturing January 2026 versus January 2025. The strong double-digit gain in February suggests a broadening recovery in capital expenditure, a key pillar for Japan’s growth outlook.
