The Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association said that shipments of construction machinery dropped by 7.5% YoY to JPY 164.9 billion in August 2012, their first decline in two months.

Exports slid to JPY 105.5 billion due to significant decline in shipments of tractors and hydraulic shovels on the back of an economic slowdown in China. Exports to other Asian countries were also weak. Falling for the third consecutive month, exports contracted a sharp 16.2% overall, the largest decline since a 22% fall logged in December 2009, when demand weakened worldwide due to the global financial crisis.

Meanwhile, domestic shipments jumped 13.7% to JPY 59.4 billion, rising for the 17th straight month.

Source - Nikkei

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