Record Rise by Japan’s Machine Orders Points to Solid Investment

Japanese machinery orders surged at a record pace in December, propelled by large projects, underscoring robust corporate momentum as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi moves to spur investment in priority areas.

Core machine orders rose 19% from the previous month, rebounding from an 11% slide in November, the Cabinet Office reported Thursday. It marked the strongest gain since the comparable data series began in 2005 and far surpassed economists’ forecast of a 5% increase. From a year earlier, orders advanced 17%, the fastest pace since April 2022.