JAPAN DATA: Japan’s orders for machine tools totaled Y98.5 billion,
up 63.5% on year in December, with the pace of increase decelerating
from +104.2% in November, the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association
said Thursday. Orders from the domestic market, which are seen as a
leading indicator for Japan’s core machinery orders (Dec figures due
Feb. 10), rose 78.5% on year, also slowing from +102.2% in November.
Orders from overseas increased 57.3%, compared with +105.2% in the
previous month. The association forecast overall machine tool orders
will total Y1.1 trillion in calender 2011, the highest level since Y1.3
trillion in 2008.