iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (ARCA: EWJ)

最新ニュース iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (ARCA:EWJ)

iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund

Industrials

Technology

Consumer Cyclical

Financial Services

Healthcare

Communication Services

Consumer Defensive

Basic Materials

Real Estate

Energy

Utilities

The fund will at all times invest at least 90% of its assets in the securities of its underlying index and in depositary receipts representing securities in its underlying index. The underlying index primarily consists of stocks traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It will include large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time.

Toyota Motor Corp

Mitsubishi Ufj Financial Group Inc

iShares MSCI Japan ETF

iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF

<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Toyota-expands-hydrogen-network-in-Japan-starting-with-its-supply-chain" title="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Toyota-expands-hydrogen-network-in-Japan-starting-with-its-supply-chain">https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Transportation/Toyota-expands-hydrogen-network-in-Japan-starting-with-its-supply-chain</a>

News

Toyota Expands Hydrogen Network In Japan, Starting With Its Supply Chain

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/warren-buffett">Warren Buffett </a>gave Japan Inc. another stamp of approval and the market is eating it up. Shares of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/japan">Japan's</a> five largest trading houses surged up to 9% after the Oracle of Omaha signaled Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRK#NYSE">BRK</a>) is eyeing bigger stakes.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUFG#NYSE">MUFG</a>) led the pack, climbing nearly 9%, while Mitsui &amp; Co (OTCPK:MITSY), Marubeni Corp (OTCPK:MARUF) (OTCPK:MARUY), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMFG#NYSE">SMFG</a>) and Itochu Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITOCF#NYSE">ITOCF</a>) all jumped between 4% and 7.5%, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/431a648e-851e-49f7-a37b-e862f4c19474">reported</a> the Financial Times.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Buffett&#8217;s Billion-Dollar Bet Gets Bigger</h2>
Buffett's love affair with Japan is nothing new. Back in 2020, Berkshire quietly snapped up 5% stakes in each of these trading giants, shelling out $6 billion. Fast forward to today and those holdings are worth $23.5 billion.
Related: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43906366/warren-buffetts-berkshire-boosts-bets-on-five-japanese-companies-admiration-has-consistently-grown-says-oracle-of-omaha-in-letter-to-shareholders">Warren Buffett&#8217;s Berkshire Boosts Bets On 5 Japanese Companies: Oracle Of Omaha Says Admiration &#8216;Has Consistently Grown&#8217;</a>
Now, with the 10% ownership cap lifted, Buffett's annual letter made it clear: "You will likely see Berkshire's ownership of all five increase somewhat." 
Translation? Buffett's doubling down.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Trading Houses? Think Private Equity, Buffett Style</h2>
Why does he love these stocks? 
Think of them as Japan's private equity powerhouses with portfolios spanning convenience stores, salmon farms, infrastructure and tech startups.
Jefferies analyst Thanh Ha Pham calls them &#8220;the private equity of Japan&#8221; but with a Buffett-approved long-term horizon.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ETFs, Stocks Riding The Buffett Wave</h2>
For ETF investors, Buffett's Japan bet shines a light on three key funds. 
The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWJ#NYSE">EWJ</a>) is up 2.64% year-to-date, while JPMorgan's BetaBuilders Japan ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBJP#NYSE">BBJP</a>) has climbed 2.37%. But the real standout? 
The WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXJ#NYSE">DXJ</a>), which boasts a 3.98% gain over the past year.
The Buffett effect is real and it's not just the trading houses riding the wave.
Sony (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SONY#NYSE">SONY</a>) has soared 44% in the past year, while Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMFG#NYSE">SMFG</a>) is up nearly 40%. Even Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MUFG#NYSE">MUFG</a>) has posted a stellar 24.6% annual gain.
With Japan's corporate reforms, rising dividends and Buffett's backing, this might just be the start of a long-term bull run.
For investors, ignoring Japan now could be like skipping Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in 2003 &#8211; a mistake Buffett himself vowed never to repeat.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43893016/rising-inflation-in-japan-3-etfs-to-watch-as-boj-navigates-rate-hike-expectations">Rising Inflation In Japan: 3 ETFs To Watch As BOJ Navigates Rate Hike Expectations</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Asia

Long Ideas

Specialty ETFs

Markets

Trading Ideas

ETFs

AAPL

BBJP

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

ITOCF

MARUF

MARUY

MITSY

MUFG

SMFG

Sony Group Corporation American Depositary Shares

SONY

Buffett's Japan Play: Why Investors Shouldn't Sleep On These Stocks, ETFs

Japan's core consumer inflation climbed to 3.2% in January, marking its fastest pace in 19 months, according to a Reuters report. As expectations of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/asia/25/02/43425523/bank-of-japan-signals-further-rate-hikes-possible-amid-inflation-economic-overheating-worries">continuing to raise interest rates</a> grow, investors following Japan's economic shifts may want to keep an eye on these three <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">ETFs focused on Japanese equities</a>:
iShares MSCI Japan Index Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWJ#NYSE">EWJ</a>) is one of the largest Japan-focused ETFs. EWJ mirrors the MSCI Japan Index, which tracks top Japanese companies across various sectors.
JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBJP#BATS">BBJP</a>) seeks to track the performance of the Morningstar Japan Target Market Exposure Index. This fund offers a cost-efficient way to invest in Japanese stocks, providing broad exposure to large- and mid-cap companies.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXJ#NYSE">DXJ</a>) provides exposure to Japanese equities while hedging against movements in the yen. With a focus on companies that generate a significant portion of their revenue overseas (20% or more, according to DXJ fact sheet), this ETF could benefit from a stronger U.S. dollar.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/bonds/25/02/43772167/japan-bond-yields-hit-15-year-high-as-gdp-growth-surpasses-expectations-peter-schiff-warns-of-train-wreck">Peter Schiff Warns Of &#8216;Slow-Motion Train Wreck&#8217; Financial Disaster That&#8217;s On No One&#8217;s Radar</a>
Potential Impacts
Japan's core consumer inflation surged to 3.2% in January, marking its fastest pace in 19 months. This rise has fueled expectations that the BOJ may continue raising interest rates from their still-low levels, per Reuters. As inflationary pressures mount, bond yields have also climbed, with the two-year Japanese government bond yield reaching 0.830%, its highest level since October 2008.
If inflation in Japan continues to rise, investors in these ETFs could face mixed outcomes. The BOJ may respond with more aggressive interest rate hikes, increasing borrowing costs for businesses and potentially pressuring stock prices, which could impact ETFs like EWJ and BBJP. 
In a note on Jan. 21, Vincent Chung, co-portfolio manager at T. Rowe Price, said that the BOJ&#8217;s rate hike may be the first of several gradual increases. He sees the policy rate to likely reach 1% or higher by the end of this year, as <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/24/bank-of-japan-hikes-policy-rates-by-25-basis-points-to-highest-since-2008.html">reported </a>by CNBC.
Reuters noted that Japan's inflation has remained above the central bank's 2% target for close to three years, putting pressure on policymakers to take further action. The BOJ already <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/econ-s/25/01/43183053/bank-of-japan-raises-interest-rates-to-pre-2008-levels-amid-trumps-tariff-uncertainties">raised its short-term interest rate</a> to 0.5% from 0.25% in January in a move to achieve sustainable inflation. 
Additionally, a stronger yen due to higher interest rates may hurt export-driven companies, which are majorly large-cap. In this case, ETFs carrying small-cap Japanese stocks, such as the iShares MSCI Japan Small-Cap ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCJ#NYSE">SCJ</a>) may be considered. WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund&#8217;s currency-hedged strategy could offer some protection.
On the other hand, one must not forget that external economic developments are also at play. CNBC quoted Chung&#8217;s warning that rising U.S. inflation coupled with sustained economic growth later this quarter could lead to a stronger dollar and weaker yen.
Inflation could also mean sector-specific impacts. For instance, while financial and commodity-related stocks can benefit, consumer-driven industries could be strained. Increased market uncertainty and volatility may create short-term fluctuations in these ETFs.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/specialty-etfs/25/02/43888012/apples-in-house-modem-chip-sparks-qualcomm-concerns-3-etfs-with-key-exposure">Apple&#8217;s In-House Modem Chip Sparks Qualcomm Concerns: 3 ETFs With Key Exposure</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Rising Inflation In Japan: 3 ETFs To Watch As BOJ Navigates Rate Hike Expectations

Macro Economic Events

Econ #s

Economics

Reported Earlier, au Jibun Bank Japan Services Purchasing Managers' Index Preliminary For February 53.1 Vs. 53.0 Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan National Core Consumer Price Index (YoY) For January 3.2% Vs. 3.1% Est.; 3.0% Prior

<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/GE-unit-to-join-foreign-bid-for-huge-Japan-power-grid" title="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/GE-unit-to-join-foreign-bid-for-huge-Japan-power-grid">https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/GE-unit-to-join-foreign-bid-for-huge-Japan-power-grid</a>

'GE unit to join foreign bid for huge Japan power grid' -Nikkei

Reported Earlier, Japan Trade Balance For January -2,758.8B Vs. -2,100.0B Est.; 132.5B (Revised) Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Exports (YoY) For January 7.2% Vs. 7.9% Est.; 2.8% Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Adjusted Trade Balance -0.86T Vs. -0.26T Est.; -0.03T Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Current Account n.s.a. For December 1.077T Vs. 1.362T Est.; 3.353T Prior

Reported Earlier, Japan Adjusted Current Account For December  2.73T Vs. 2.73T Est.; 3.03T Prior

Global

President Trump And Japan's Ishiba, In Joint Statement,  Express Concern Over North Korean Nuclear Program; Says U.S. And Japan Underscore Need To Deter North Korea's Cyber Activities And Increasing Military Cooperation With Russia;  Agree To Increasing Exports Of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas To Japan; Express Desire For Security And Defense Cooperation Between Japan And U.S. To Grow Stronger; Trump Accepted Invitation For Visit To Japan In Near Future

President Trump And Japan's Ishiba, In Joint Statement, Reiterate Opposition To Any Attempts By China To Change Status Quo By Force In East China Sea; Oppose Chinese Militarization In South China Sea, Call For Peaceful Resolution Of Taiwan Strait Issues; Confirm Intention To Upgrade Command And Control Frameworks Of U.S. And Japanese Forces, Increase Bilateral Presence In Japan's Southwest Islands

Japan's Ishiba Says We Affirmed The Need To Address North Korea's Nuclear Program; Japan And The U.S. Will Work Together Toward Complete Denuclearization; President Trump Says We Will Have Relations With North Korea; It's An Asset For Everyone If I Get Along With North Korea's Kim

President Trump Says U.S. Steel Deal Will Be Investment, Not Purchase

Japan's Ishiba Says U.S. Steel Is Not Acquisition, It Is Investment

Politics

General

President Trump Says [Nippon] Is Looking At Investment In U.S. Steel

President Trump Says Japan Has Committed To Double Defense Spending by 2027 Compared To My First Term; U.S.. Will Extend Full Strength Of American Deterrence Capabilities In Defense Of Japan; This Week Approved Nearly $1B In Foreign Military Sales For Japan

President Trump Says Will Announce Reciprocal Tariffs Next Week On Many Countries

President Trump Says We Do Want To Work On The Deficit, Get It Down To Even; Will Discuss U.S. Steel With Japan's Ishiba; Tariffs Are An Option To Address Deficit

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