iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)
| Assets | $18.01B |
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% |
| PE Ratio | 17.93 |
| Shares Out | 214.20M |
| Dividend (ttm) | $3.65 |
| Dividend Yield | 4.22% |
| Ex-Dividend Date | Dec 16, 2025 |
| Payout Frequency | Semi-Annual |
| Payout Ratio | 80.41% |
| Volume | 14,755,258 |
| Open | 86.66 |
| Previous Close | 84.44 |
| Day's Range | 86.27 - 87.36 |
| 52-Week Low | 59.84 |
| 52-Week High | 94.28 |
| Beta | 0.67 |
| Holdings | 184 |
| Inception Date | Mar 12, 1996 |
About EWJ
Fund Home PageThe iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Japan index, a market-cap-weighted index which covers roughly 85% of the investable universe of securities traded in Japan. EWJ was launched on Mar 12, 1996 and is issued by BlackRock.
Top 10 Holdings
27.57% of assets| Name | Symbol | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Motor Corporation | 7203 | 4.27% |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. | 8306 | 4.05% |
| Hitachi, Ltd. | 6501 | 2.86% |
| Sony Group Corporation | 6758 | 2.61% |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. | 8316 | 2.54% |
| Mitsubishi Corporation | 8058 | 2.46% |
| Tokyo Electron Limited | 8035 | 2.33% |
| Advantest Corporation | 6857 | 2.23% |
| Mitsui & Co., Ltd. | 8031 | 2.14% |
| Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. | 8411 | 2.10% |
Dividend History
| Ex-Dividend | Amount | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 16, 2025 | $3.06137 | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Jun 16, 2025 | $0.59118 | Jun 20, 2025 |
| Dec 17, 2024 | $1.06445 | Dec 20, 2024 |
| Jun 11, 2024 | $0.50865 | Jun 17, 2024 |
| Dec 20, 2023 | $0.87459 | Dec 27, 2023 |
| Jun 7, 2023 | $0.43064 | Jun 13, 2023 |
Performance
EWJ had a total return of 31.92% in the past year, including dividends. Since the fund's inception, the average annual return has been 3.87%.
News
Japan Firms Stay Upbeat Under Pressure, Keeping Rate Hike on Table
A key gauge of business sentiment in Japan improved for a fourth straight quarter.
Japan's Market Is More Resilient Than Expected. 3 Stocks to Consider.
Bargain stocks are in areas of U.S.-Japan synergy. Industrial conglomerate Hitachi has a joint venture with General Electric, for instance.
Japan Consumer Inflation Rises at Slower Pace
Japan's consumer prices rose at a slower pace in February, potentially affording the central bank more time to consider raising rates further amid heightened geopolitical risks.
Japan core inflation in February misses estimates, headline CPI eases for a fourth straight month
The consumer price index fell to 1.3% last month, its lowest level since March 2022 and below the central bank's 2% target. It was down from 1.5% in January.
EWJ: Why Japan Is At Risk From Surging LNG And Oil Prices
Japan's equity market, represented by EWJ, faces headwinds from energy shocks, a weak yen, and limited fiscal space despite recent investor enthusiasm. EWJ's sector exposure is vulnerable, with heavy ...
Bank of Japan keeps rates steady as expected, warns Iran war may push up inflation
The Bank of Japan kept its rates steady at 0.75% as expected, but noted that inflation risks now are tilted to the upside due to the Iran war.
Iran War Puts Pressure on Japan's Economy. Takaichi Is In a Bind.
Japan's prime minister in a tough spot going into her meeting with President Donald Trump, Desmond Lachman writes in a guest commentary.
EWJ: Buying An Oversold Japan
I view the iShares MSCI Japan ETF as a buy after its recent 8% drop, driven by fears of Middle Eastern oil disruptions. Japan's strategic oil reserves, among the largest in the developed world, provid...
BlackRock's Model Shift: Scaling Active ETFs Ahead of Exchange
Actively managed ETFs in the U.S. gathered $73 billion of new money in February and, thanks to model allocation changes made by BlackRock last week, are poised for another strong month. BlackRock's st...
Tokyo Inflation Slows Below Bank of Japan's Target But Rate-Hike Path Seems Intact
Inflation in Japan's capital cooled below the central bank's 2% target for the first time in over a year, but the slowdown is unlikely to derail further interest rate hikes.
Bank of Japan's Most Hawkish Member Says Rate Hike Needed Soon
With deflation now firmly in the rearview mirror, the path is clear for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates sooner rather than later, said policy board member Hajime Takata.
JGBs Rise, Aided by Slowing Inflation in Japan
JGBs rose in price terms in the morning Tokyo session, aided by government data released earlier showing slowing inflation in Japan.
Japan inflation falls below BOJ's 2% target for first time since March 2022
The 1.5% figure ended a run of 45 straight months that the inflation rate has been above the Bank of Japan's 2% target. Government tax relief and fading food costs were expected to push CPI below 2% i...
Japan Inflation Cools, Giving BOJ More Room to Operate
Consumer inflation, excluding volatile fresh food prices, climbed 2.0% in January from a year earlier, compared with December's 2.4% rise.
Japan's Economy Returns to Growth, Clearing Way for Rate Hikes
Japan's economy returned to growth in the final quarter of 2025 despite the hit from U.S. tariffs, giving the central bank room to keep raising interest rates.
Yen near 160, a record Nikkei 225, higher yields: What experts expect after Sanae Takaichi's landslide victory
A revival of the "Takaichi trade" is likely to be on the table Markets anticipated looser policy, boosting stocks and bond yields.
Japan Is the Market's ‘Big Story' as Investors Await 40-Year Bond Auction
Plans for looser fiscal policy in Japan have triggered big moves in the yen and Japanese government bonds that have investors increasingly on edge around the world.
From Tokyo To Oslo, Country ETFs Are Running Hot As Global Markets Ride Policy Shifts, AI Buzz
Early 2026 is shaping up as a stock-picker's market, with investors increasingly rewarding countries where inflation is peaking, policy clarity is improving, or growth drivers are strengthening.
Japan Government Bond Yields, Stocks Fall After Yen's Rebound
Japanese government bond yields and stocks dropped Monday after U.S. and Japanese authorities signaled that they are ready to step in to prop up the yen, sparking a rebound in the Japanese currency.
Bank of Japan Keeps Rates at 30-Year High as It Gauges Impact of Last Hike
The Bank of Japan's first meeting of the year took place against a dramatic backdrop of bond market gyrations, worries about government policies and a volatile yen.
Bank of Japan raises economic growth forecasts ahead of snap election, holds rates at 0.75%
The BOJ also upgraded its GDP forecast for the 2025 fiscal year to 0.9%, and also raised its GDP projection for the 2026 fiscal year to 1% from 0.7%.
Japan inflation cools to 2.1%, lowest since March 2022, but rice prices loom large ahead of election
Japan inflation cools to 2.1%, lowest since March 2022, but rice prices loom large ahead of election
Foreign Stocks Extend Lead Over U.S. Shares In 2026
Global stocks are still outperforming US shares so far in 2026, extending last year's winning run. Using a set of ETFs through yesterday's close (Jan. 21), all the major equity regions of the world ar...
Japan's long-bond yields surge to record highs. Why it may be a problem beyond Tokyo.
The problems in Japan may expand elsewhere.
Japan's Long-Term Bond Yields Surge as Looming Election Triggers Fiscal Worries
Japan's long-term government bond yields surged to multi-year highs Tuesday, spurred by fears that an upcoming election could lead to a consumption-tax rate cut that might worsen the country's public ...
Japanese Love the New Prime Minister. Markets Don't.
Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, and the Bank of Japan have a chance to steer post-deflation the country onto a stable growth path.
JGBs Fall, Weighed by Gains in Japan's Equities Market
JGBs fell in price terms in the morning Tokyo session on the first trading day of 2026.
Japan Is The Canary In The Global Debt Coal Mine
Japan faces a structural debt and inflation challenge as yields rise and the BoJ steps back from bond purchases. Higher Japanese yields risk destabilizing global bond markets, with potential capital r...
Bank of Japan raises rates to highest in 30 years as inflation stays above target
The hike comes against the backdrop of rising inflation and a weak Japanese economy.
Japan's consumer inflation stays above cenbank's target for 44th month, boosting case for a rate hike
Core inflation, which strips out prices of fresh food, remained unchanged from 3% in October, and came in line with Reuters-polled economists' average estimate.
Nikkei 225 Slips As SoftBank Slump And BOJ Hike Fear Pressure Tech Stocks
SoftBank drops 7% after Oracle fallout. Nikkei closes 0.9% lower at 50,149.
Japan's Economy Shrinks at Faster Pace Than Initially Estimated
Real gross domestic product shrank 2.3% on an annualized basis in the third quarter, compared with preliminary estimates of a 1.8% fall.
Bank of Japan faces a policy dilemma as government bond yields keep hitting new highs
On Thursday, yield on the benchmark 10-year JGBs hit a high of 1.917%, surging to their strongest level since 2007. If the BOJ sticks with its policy of raising rates, it risks sending higher yields h...
Nikkei 225 Slips As BOJ Hike Bets Surge Ahead Of December Meeting
The Nikkei 225 falls to 49,303 as rate-hike odds for December 19 approach 80%. Electronics, pharma, and industrials lead declines as liquidity expectations tighten.
This Movement In Japanese Bonds Hasn't Occurred In 30 Years
Japan's recent bond yield surge stems from persistent inflation, GDP contraction, and a $135.5B stimulus amid high government debt. Rising yields and domestic bondholder selling have fueled volatility...
Japan's Economy Contracts for First Time in Six Quarters
Real gross domestic product shrank 0.4% on a quarter-over-quarter basis, further complicating the timeline of the central bank's next interest-rate hike.
Japan economy contracts less than expected in September quarter
On an annualised basis, Japan's third quarter GDP slipped 1.8%, a softer fall than the 2.5% expected.
Ingredients are there for international markets to keep outperforming U.S., says Oakmark's Coniaris
Tony Coniaris, Oakmark co-CIO of international equities, joins 'Squawk on the Street' to discuss the role international equities play in diversification, the performance gap between the U.S. and abroa...
Japan's top union group seeks 5% wage hike despite US tariffs
Japan's largest labour union group said on Thursday it would seek wage hikes of 5% or more in 2026, aiming for bumper pay raises for the fourth consecutive year to counter inflation despite headwinds ...
Global investors like the new-look Japan government, for now
Global money managers are circling back to Japan's stock and debt markets, drawn by the promises of its new reflationist government and a desire to diversify from pricier U.S. and European markets.
Japanese stocks: why they climbed to record levels today and what comes next?
Japanese stocks surged to fresh highs on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 jumping 3.37% to close at 49,185.5 and the broader Topix gaining 2.46% to end at 3,248.45.
Nikkei 225: Rallied Above 48,000, Key Levels To Watch Next As New Japanese PM Ignites Bulls
Nikkei 225 hits new record high, rising 6.5% since 23 September 2025 amid optimism over Japan's incoming Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Expansionary fiscal policy expected, with higher government spe...
Japan ETFs rally sharply as election of party leader Takaichi signals ‘fiscal taps may stay open'
ETFs that buy Japanese stocks were rallying Monday, adding to their surge this year, after the weekend election of Sanae Takaichi to lead Japan's Liberal Democratic Party put her on track to become th...
Japan to Pick Fifth Leader in 5 Years. The Stock Rally Ignores the Politics.
A big factor for investors is that Japan's stocks are still cheap—and there are positive catalysts ahead.
Bank of Japan Still on Path to More Rate Hikes, Governor Says
The Bank of Japan remains committed to further interest-rate hikes, Gov. Kazuo Ueda said, amid growing speculation over the timing of the central bank's next move.
Japan defends 15% tariffs deal with ‘tough negotiator' Trump
Japan's chief trade negotiator has defended a tariffs deal with the U.S., expressing respect for President Donald Trump and calling him a “tough negotiator.”Trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa noted that the p...