Japan’s core machinery orders staged a strong recovery in February 2026, rising 13.6% month-over-month, according to data updated on 14 April 2026. The rebound follows a steep 5.5% month-on-month decline in January 2026, highlighting a sharp shift in corporate investment activity at the start of the year.
The February result, measured on a month-over-month basis, compares the change in orders from February to January, while the January figure reflects the change from January to December. The swing from a negative reading in January to double-digit growth in February suggests that companies may be resuming or accelerating capital spending plans after a weak start to 2026.
While the data cover only one month of improvement, the scale of the February gain in core machinery orders—often viewed as a leading indicator of business investment—will be closely watched by markets for signs of sustained momentum in Japan’s corporate sector.
