TOKYO, July 8 (Reuters) - Japan's core private-sector machinery orders unexpectedly fell 3.0 percent in May from the previous month, the Cabinet Office said on Wednesday, suggesting a recovery in capital spending may be delayed.

The fall compared with a median market forecast for a 2.1 percent increase.

Details were as follows (economists' median forecast in parentheses):

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MAY APR MAR

(month-on-month percentage changes, seasonally adjusted)

Overall +1.5 -12.7 +13.2

Private (core) -3.0 (+2.1) -5.4 -1.3

Public -11.1 +22.1 +1.9

External -13.3 -21.5 +46.4

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(year-on-year percentage changes, unadjusted)

Overall -44.6 -42.5 -30.5

Private (core)-38.3 (-34.5) -32.8 -22.2

Public +7.2 +6.9 -0.8

External -73.7 -66.1 -48.7

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*Note: Core orders are private-sector and exclude those for ships and electric power utilities.

To view the full tables, go to:

http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/juchu/0905juchu-e.html

(Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Chris Gallagher)

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