Japan Machinery Orders Surge

Sept. 11, 2007
But economic jitters linger

A key gauge of corporate capital spending Japanese machinery orders, rose at the fastest pace in almost four years in July, but the report failed to erase concerns about the health of the economy. Japan's core private-sector orders jumped by 17% in July from the previous month, the government said Sept. 11.

It was the biggest month-on-month gain since a 17.2% rise in October 2003, according to the industry ministry.

Machinery orders placed by the manufacturing sector grew 10.8 % in July, led by orders for the semiconductor and other electrical machinery industries.

Orders by non-manufacturers shot up 19.4%, buoyed by large orders from the transport and telecommunications industries.

But foreign orders fell 10.8% in July, adding to jitters about the effect on Japan's exports of the U.S. economic slowdown. "The relatively large decline in foreign orders is a bit worrying because this could suggest that foreign orders are falling led by weak U.S. demand," Daiwa Institute of Research senior economist Junichi Makino said.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

7 Crucial Steps to Improve Your OT Security

Oct. 23, 2023
Enhance OT security in manufacturing and production. Uncover the crucial steps to safeguard your operational technology. Protect against evolving threats and bridge the IT-OT ...

Beware Extreme Software

Sept. 24, 2023
As a manufacturer, you understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve and being proactive in your approach to technology. With the rapid pace of change in the industry...

Powering Up Productivity: The Transformative Power of AP Automation in Manufacturing

Oct. 25, 2023
Discover how AP Automation is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, driving efficiency, cost savings, and security. In today's world, automation is the key to staying competitive...

How Manufacturers Can Optimize Operations with Weather Intelligence

Nov. 2, 2023
The bad news? Severe weather has emerged as one of the biggest threats to continuity and safety in manufacturing. The good news? The intelligence solutions that build weather ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!