In 2022, Japan machine tools orders from seven major manufacturers closed at U$4,103 million, an increase of 21.6% from the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of increase. Makino, Tsugami, and Okuma set new records.

Following both domestic and oversea strong growth for continually second consecutive year was reported by the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun reflecting total orders of 7 major Japanese machine tools manufacturers reaching 535.308 million yen or about U$4,103 million, a 21.6% increase from the previous year.

Even in the second half of 2022, machine tools orders slowed comparing the first half due to parts shortages and inflation. However, demand for Japanese machine tools from China and Europe remained stable over the past year.

Major brand manufacturers received more orders from both domestic and overseas clients, except Shibaura Machine, and 3 companies achieved new records of the company: Makino surged with the highest order and export, Tsugami reached the highest order, and Okuma got the highest export.

Okuma's sales department said machine tools orders in Europe, the US and China mainly came from the EV industry. While the orders in Japan came from the semiconductor industry. In the second half of 2022, their supply chain investment started to show positive results.

Shibaura Machine’s public relations department said that even in 2022 there was a decrease in orders, but by 2023 a further upswing in demand for machine tools can be expected from wind turbines in China, gas turbines in the US and large molds for EV parts.

In December 2022, total orders closed at 44,278 million yen or about 339 million US dollars. However, domestic orders dropped for the second consecutive month, reflecting a slowdown in investment from various uncertainties.

On the Makino side, although the company has achieved new records in both orders and export sales. But the company's sustainability promotion office said the demand for machine tools in China is steadily and severely declining.

According to Nidec OKK, machine tools demand in Japan is currently declining while the US has delayed purchases.

On the other hand, JTEKT reports that the overall demand for machine tools in Japan is recovering. Except for the decline in demand from engine parts manufacturers.

Tsugami said the company's exports continued to increase in the last four months of 2022, which its management expected. Machine tools orders from China will begin to recover from February 2023 onwards.