iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) belongs to the Japan Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with EWJ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to EWJ
EWJ charges 0.49% annually. There are 8 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin FTSE Japan ETF | 0.09% | 3.93B | Nov 2017 | EWJ vs FLJP | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 0.09% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | EWJ vs FLJH | |
| iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF | 0.15% | 752.30M | Mar 2019 | EWJ vs EWJV | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF | 0.19% | 18.07B | Jun 2018 | EWJ vs BBJP | |
| Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Japan Equity ETF | 0.25% | 81.67M | Mar 2016 | EWJ vs GSJY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to EWJ
EWJ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 52. There are 12 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan Opportunities ETF | 92 | 292.99M | Jun 2013 | EWJ vs OPPJ | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 92 | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | EWJ vs DXJ | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 90 | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | EWJ vs DBJP | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 90 | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | EWJ vs HEWJ | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 86 | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | EWJ vs FLJH |
Top Performing EWJ Alternatives (YTD)
EWJ is at 15.32% YTD. There are 9 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 24.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan Opportunities ETF | 24.76% | 292.99M | Jun 2013 | EWJ vs OPPJ | |
| ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan | 24.73% | 13.96M | Jun 2009 | EWJ vs EZJ | |
| MUFG Japan Small Cap Active ETF | 22.57% | 22.87M | Sep 2025 | EWJ vs MJSC | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 21.11% | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | EWJ vs DBJP | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 20.99% | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | EWJ vs HEWJ |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to EWJ
EWJ has 20.71% 1-year volatility. There are 14 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 16.48%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF | 16.48% | 233.98M | Dec 2007 | EWJ vs SCJ | |
| WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund | 16.85% | 383.27M | Jun 2006 | EWJ vs DFJ | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 18.14% | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | EWJ vs DXJ | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 18.98% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | EWJ vs FLJH | |
| Horizon Kinetics Japan Owner Operator ETF | 19.49% | — | May 2025 | EWJ vs JAPN |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to EWJ
EWJ has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.59%. There are 9 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.82%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan Opportunities ETF | -9.82% | 292.99M | Jun 2013 | EWJ vs OPPJ | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | -10.37% | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | EWJ vs HEWJ | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | -10.39% | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | EWJ vs DBJP | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | -10.80% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | EWJ vs FLJH | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | -10.98% | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | EWJ vs DXJ |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $838B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.72% | 95.28B | May 2020 | EWJ vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -31.78% | 48.04B | Jan 2024 | EWJ vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 60 | 8.13% | 837.93B | May 2000 | EWJ vs IVV | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 95 | 99.95% | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | EWJ vs SOXX | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 16 | 2.15% | 41.34B | Jul 2002 | EWJ vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 78 | 9.37% | 41.89B | Jun 2014 | EWJ vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 28 | -19.62% | 32.53B | Apr 2006 | EWJ vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 21 | -7.61% | 64.29B | Jan 2005 | EWJ vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 70 | 21.03% | 81.35B | May 2000 | EWJ vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 59 | 9.71% | 32.95B | Mar 2008 | EWJ vs ACWI |
Often Compared With EWJ
Investors most often compare EWJ with ^N225, EWY, JPXN. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare EWJ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare EWJ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair EWJ with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI Japan ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to EWJ.
Explore EWJ Diversifiers