Core machinery orders fell a seasonally adjusted 6.9 percent in October from September, declining for a second straight month as Europe's debt crisis and the yen's appreciation fuel concerns over the economy, the government said Thursday.

Private-sector orders came to ¥687.4 billion, sinking below the ¥700 billion threshold for the first time since last December, the Cabinet Office said. The total excluded orders for ships and from utilities, due to their volatility.

The last time the leading indicator for corporate capital spending fell for two consecutive months was in January and February 2010.