The total value of machinery orders received by 280 manufacturers operating in Japan decreased by 18.6% in December from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis. In October-December period it increased by 3.9% compared with the previous quarter. Private-sector machinery orders, excluding volatile ones for ships and those from electric power companies, decreased a seasonally adjusted by 0.1% in December, and showed decrease by 4.2% in October-December period. In the January-March period the total amount of machinery orders was forecasted to decrease by 13.0% and private-sector orders, excluding volatile ... (full story)