What is the primary difference in investment strategy between EWJ and EWJV?

EWJ is designed to track the broader Japanese equity market, offering exposure to a wide range of Japanese companies across various sectors. In contrast, EWJV specifically focuses on value-oriented Japanese stocks, aiming to capture companies that may be undervalued relative to their fundamentals. While both funds invest in Japanese equities, the key distinction lies in their methodology: one seeks comprehensive market representation, while the other targets a specific factor investing strategy centred on value.

How do expense ratios affect long-term investment returns?

The expense ratio represents the annual fee charged by the fund, which is deducted from the fund's assets. A lower expense ratio means fewer costs, allowing more of the fund's gross returns to remain with investors. Over time, even small differences in fees can compound significantly. For example, the difference between 0.49% and 0.15% is 0.34 percentage points. Investors should consider that lower fees generally improve net outcomes, assuming other performance factors remain comparable between the two funds.

What does it mean when top holdings data is not available?

When top holdings data is listed as not available, it means the specific list of the largest positions within the fund is not currently provided in the dataset. This limits an investor's ability to analyse individual stock exposure or assess concentration risk directly from the comparison tool. In this instance, neither EWJ nor EWJV displays their top ten holdings or sector weights, requiring investors to consult the fund providers' official documentation for detailed composition insights.

Which fund has the lower expense ratio and how significant is the difference?

EWJV has the lower expense ratio at 0.15%, compared to EWJ's 0.49%. This creates a difference of 0.34 percentage points annually. For investors prioritising cost efficiency, this is a notable distinction, as the value-focused fund is substantially cheaper to hold. Lower fees can enhance net returns over long periods, although it is essential to balance cost considerations with the differing investment strategies and market exposures each fund provides.

How do the dividend yields of EWJ and EWJV compare?

EWJV offers a dividend yield of 4.55%, which is higher than EWJ's yield of 3.62%. The difference is 0.93 percentage points. Value stocks often exhibit higher yields compared to the broader market average, which may explain this discrepancy. Investors seeking income from Japanese equities might find EWJV's yield more attractive, though yield levels can fluctuate based on market conditions and the underlying companies' financial health. Both funds distribute dividends, typically on a scheduled basis.

Is there any overlap in the top holdings of these two funds?

According to the available data, there are no shared top-ten holdings between EWJ and EWJV. This lack of overlap suggests that the specific companies selected by the value strategy in EWJV differ significantly from those included in the broader market index tracked by EWJ. It highlights the divergence in stock selection criteria, where one fund targets large, established market leaders across the board, while the other selects stocks based on value metrics, resulting in distinct portfolio compositions.

What are the net assets and liquidity implications for each fund?

EWJ holds net assets of $23.1 billion, indicating a large, highly liquid fund. In contrast, EWJV has net assets of $799 million, which is significantly smaller. Larger net assets often correlate with better liquidity and tighter bid-ask spreads, making trades potentially easier to execute at fair prices for EWJ. However, EWJV's smaller size does not necessarily impede trading but may require more attention to trade execution during volatile market periods.

How do the inception dates reflect the funds' track records?

EWJ was launched on March 12, 1996, providing a long operational history spanning nearly three decades. This extensive track record offers ample data for assessing performance across various market cycles. Conversely, EWJV was launched on March 5, 2019, meaning it has a shorter history of about seven years. Investors may view the longer track record of EWJ as providing more reliability data, while EWJV's performance history is less established.

What sector exposure should investors expect from these Japan ETFs?

Both funds are categorised as Japan Stock ETFs, implying exposure to the Japanese equity market. However, detailed sector weights are currently listed as not available for both EWJ and EWJV in this dataset. Without specific sector data, investors cannot directly compare industry concentrations such as technology, healthcare, or industrials. It is generally expected that both funds will cover major sectors of the Japanese economy, but the weightings will differ based on their respective market-capitalisation versus value-factor methodologies.

Why might a value strategy like EWJV differ from a broad market fund?

A value strategy, such as that employed by EWJV, seeks to identify stocks trading below their perceived intrinsic value. This often involves companies with lower price-to-earnings ratios or high dividend yields. In contrast, a broad market fund like EWJ includes companies regardless of valuation metrics, focusing instead on market capitalisation. During periods when value factors outperform growth, EWJV may show different relative performance compared to EWJ, reflecting the cyclical nature of factor investing.

How should beginners interpret the transparency limitations of these funds?

Beginners should note that key details like index tracked, top holdings, and sector weights are currently not available for both funds in this dataset. This lack of transparency means investors must rely on the fund names and basic metrics for comparison. For thorough due diligence, visitors should consult the official fund provider websites for prospectus documents and updated fact sheets, which typically contain the missing detailed portfolio information required for comprehensive analysis.

What educational disclaimer should be considered when reviewing this data?

This comparison is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The figures regarding expense ratios, yields, and assets are based on data from September 22, 2026, and may change. Investors should consider their own financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment goals before making decisions. Comparing metrics like cost and yield is useful, but it does not guarantee future performance. Always seek independent professional advice or conduct further research before investing in any ETF.

EWJ vs EWJV

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in October 2026.

Compare EWJ and EWJV, two iShares Japan equity ETFs. This page reviews their expense ratios, dividend yields, net assets and launch dates. EWJ tracks the broader Japanese market, while EWJV focuses on value-oriented Japanese stocks. Both funds' top holdings and sector weights are not available. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare EWJ and EWJV, two iShares Japan equity ETFs. This page reviews their expense ratios, dividend yields, net assets and launch dates. EWJ tracks the broader Japanese market, while EWJV focuses on...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

EWJ

Metric

EWJV

0.49%

Expense Ratio

0.15%

3.62%

Dividend Yield

4.55%

$23.15B

Net Assets

$799.01M

174

Holdings

114

Mar 12, 1996

Inception Date

Mar 5, 2019

–

Index Tracked

–

Japan Stock

Fund Category

Japan Stock

EWJV costs about $34.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

Discover More Comparisons

EWJ vs EWY

Compare EWJ and EWY ETFs. Review fees, holdings, dividends, and tracking. EWJ yields 3.62% at 0.49%; EWY yields 1.08% at 0.59%. Holdings data not available.

EWJ vs FLJP

Compare EWJ and FLJP. EWJ has 0.49% fees, 3.62% yield; FLJP has 0.09% fees, 4.06% yield. Holdings and sectors not available for either fund.

DXJ vs EWJV

Compare DXJ and EWJV. Review expense ratios of 0.48% and 0.15%, yields, and assets. Note that detailed holdings and index data are currently not available.

Investment Analysis

EWJ

Pros

The fund benefits from substantial net assets of $23.1 billion which likely supports liquidity for investors.
It offers a reasonable dividend yield of 3.62% which can provide income to shareholders.
With an inception date of Mar 12 1996 this fund has a long operational track record for reliability.

Considerations

The expense ratio of 0.49% is higher than typical for broad market ETFs increasing investment costs.
Specific index tracked is not available which limits transparency regarding the exact investment methodology.
Top holdings and sector weights are not available hindering detailed analysis of underlying portfolio composition.

EWJV

Pros

A low expense ratio of 0.15% makes it one of the most cost-effective options for value investing.
It provides a higher dividend yield of 4.55% compared to EWJ attracting income-focused investors.
Focusing on Japanese value stocks might offer opportunities during periods where value outperforms growth factors.

Considerations

With net assets of $799 million it has less liquidity than its larger counterpart potentially affecting trade execution.
The inception date of Mar 5 2019 means it has a shorter track record limiting long-term performance data.
Data on index tracked and top holdings are not available reducing transparency in investment strategy and composition.

Related Market Insights

Toyota's £19 Billion Gambit Could Reshape All of Japan

Toyota's £19bn shareholding divestment signals a new era for Japanese corporate governance. Discover investment opportunities in financial firms & equities poised for massive revaluation. Invest with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

26 February 2026

Read Insight

Related Market Insights

Toyota's £19 Billion Gambit Could Reshape All of Japan

Toyota's £19bn shareholding divestment signals a new era for Japanese corporate governance. Discover investment opportunities in financial firms & equities poised for massive revaluation. Invest with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

26 February 2026

Read Insight

About EWJ and EWJV

EWJ (EWJ)

EWJV (EWJV)

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Corporate Governance Reform Japan Outlook 2025

Toyota's historic $19 billion plan to unwind its cross-shareholdings signals a major turning point for corporate Japan. This theme captures the investment opportunity in financial firms and advisors who will lead this nationwide shift toward improved governance and capital efficiency.

Published: 26 February 2026

Explore Basket