【Source: China Machine Tool & Tool Builders' Association (CMTBA)】On April 7th, the Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association (JMTBA) held an online media briefing to introduce the operational dynamics of Japan's machine tool industry and relevant information about JIMTOF2022 (Japan International Machine Tool Fair).

Kazuhiko Tanaka, Director of International Business at JMTBA, focused on introducing Japan's machine tool order situation in 2021, forecasts for 2022, and the future development direction of Japan's machine tool industry. In 2021, the total value of Japan's machine tool orders reached 1,541.42 billion Japanese Yen, a year-on-year increase of 70.9%; among which, domestic orders in Japan amounted to 510.32 billion Japanese Yen, up 57.3% year-on-year, and overseas orders reached 1,031.1 billion Japanese Yen, a year-on-year increase of 78.6%, accounting for 66.9% of the total orders.

The total value of Japan's machine tool orders in 2021 saw a year-on-year growth for the first time in three years (since 2018), ranking fourth in the historical total order value. Both domestic and overseas machine tool orders in Japan achieved year-on-year growth for the first time in three years; the total value of overseas machine tool orders hit the second highest level in history, and overseas orders have grown by more than 60% for two consecutive years.

Analyzing the growth factors, Japan's domestic machine tool orders in 2021 were mainly driven by the growth of four major industries (general machinery, automotive, electrical/precision machinery, aerospace/marine/transport machinery) and 11 other industries. The recovery trend has strengthened since the second half of 2021. Due to the rising demand for semiconductors, as well as shortages of electrical equipment, precision instruments and components, enterprises began to increase capacity investment, which in turn drove the demand for metal products and other products to exceed the 2018 level. However, the automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding and transport machinery industries have not reached the 2019 level and recovered slowly.

The growth of Japan's overseas machine tool orders in 2021 mainly came from three major regions: Asia, Europe and North America, with year-on-year increases of 77.4%, 118.8% and 58% respectively. The overall recovery trend in the Asian market has gradually strengthened, with strong demand for automotive-related products and semiconductor-related products; in the European and North American markets, due to the smooth progress of vaccination since the middle of the year, economic activities have resumed and the economic recovery trend has strengthened, so the monthly order volume in the second half of the year was close to the 2018 level. Thanks to the remarkable epidemic prevention effects, orders in the Chinese market recovered rapidly, reaching 358.04 billion Japanese Yen, a record high.

Regarding Japan's machine tool order situation in 2022, Director Kazuhiko Tanaka predicted that the total order value is expected to reach 1,650 billion Japanese Yen, which will mainly benefit from the demand pull from the recovery of overseas markets and the strong domestic demand in Japan.

In the future, the Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association will strive to promote and achieve three goals:

(1) Implement environmental protection measures, promote the achievement of carbon neutrality, and build a production system that reduces environmental load.

(2) Promote new technologies to build automated production systems, and drive innovation in production sites through IoT, AI and DX (Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Transformation).

(3) Strengthen resilience to meet international demand, respond to global development, and explore the construction of an economic security system.

Tetsu Kikuchi, Director of the Business Promotion Department at Tokyo Big Sight, introduced the preparation progress of JIMTOF2022 International Machine Tool Fair. JIMTOF2022 will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from November 8th to 13th. After expansion, the exhibition area will reach 118,540 square meters, making it the largest edition ever. JIMTOF2022 will specially set up an Additive Manufacturing Zone, focusing on displaying additive manufacturing processing machinery (3D printers), equipment and software related to additive manufacturing processing machinery, etc. The organizer expects to launch pre-registration for visitors in September.

Considering the impact of the epidemic, for audiences who cannot come to the exhibition site, the organizer will arrange relevant exhibitors to conduct online exchange activities.