Japan Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Association: As of February, sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in Japan have been declining month on month for five consecutive months. Last October, the sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in Japan reached 380.929 billion yen. However, in the following four months, the month on month sales decreased by 8.9%, 3.3%, 8.6%, and 2.2% respectively. In February of this year, the month on month sales decreased by another 1.9%.