According to preliminary data released by the Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association, machine tool orders grew 32.3% on the year to 106.9 billion yen for April 2011.

The figure rose for the 17th month in a row and exceeded JPY 100 billion for the fourth straight month, dispelling concerns that the appetite to invest would weaken following the March 11th 2011 disaster.

Orders from abroad were strong at JPY 73.4 billion, despite dipping 9.8% from March 2011, when they spiked ahead of the fiscal year end. Many orders were placed by auto parts firms in North America and construction equipment manufacturers in China. Overseas orders accounted for 68% of the total.

Orders from domestic businesses rose 50.6% YoY and 4.3% MoM to JPY 33.4 billion. Demand from component suppliers to the automobile and construction machinery sectors was particularly strong.

(Sourced from Nikkei)