1. The total value of machinery orders received by 280 manufacturers operating in Japan decreased by 30.0% in March from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis. In January-March period it increased by 9.7% compared with the previous quarter. Private-sector machinery orders, excluding volatile ones for ships and those from electric power companies, increased a seasonally adjusted by 3.7% in March, and showed decreased by 5.3% in January-March period. 2. In the April-June period the total amount of machinery orders was forecasted to increase by 2.6% and private-sector orders, excluding volatile ones, were ... (full story)