March 31, 2005 – Global sales of Japanese-made chipmaking equipment in February slid 5.2% from a year before to 113.5 billion yen (US$1.05 billion), the first decline in 17 months, said the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), Jiji Press Ltd reported.

The association said global sales are likely to continue to fall in March and later in light of the weakness in order receipts. Sales grew in North America, South Korea and Europe, but declined in Japan, Taiwan and China, SEAJ said.

Global orders for Japanese-made chipmaking equipment in February slumped 23.4% to 84.3 billion yen, logging the sixth straight decrease and the first figure below 100 billion yen in 19 months. North America and South Korea were the only markets where orders grew.

In the meantime, domestic orders for chipmaking equipment made by Japanese and foreign manufacturers fell 18.0% to 42 billion yen, posting the second straight decline. Domestic sales of such equipment dropped 15.5% to 41.3 billion yen, slipping for the second month in a row.