Core private-sector machinery orders fell 0.4 percent in March from the previous month recording the first decline in three months, government data showed Wednesday, in a sign the coronavirus outbreak has been sapping demand for capital expenditure.
The orders, which exclude those for ships and from electricity utilities due to their volatility, totaled ¥854.7 billion ($7.9 billion), according to the Cabinet Office.
Demand from automakers and manufacturers of electric machinery fell dramatically, logging declines of 28.4 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively.