iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) 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 SCJ. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to SCJ
SCJ 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 | SCJ vs FLJP | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 0.09% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | SCJ vs FLJH | |
| iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF | 0.15% | 752.30M | Mar 2019 | SCJ vs EWJV | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF | 0.19% | 18.07B | Jun 2018 | SCJ vs BBJP | |
| Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Japan Equity ETF | 0.25% | 81.67M | Mar 2016 | SCJ vs GSJY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to SCJ
SCJ has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 55. There are 7 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan Opportunities ETF | 91 | 292.99M | Jun 2013 | SCJ vs OPPJ | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 90 | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | SCJ vs DXJ | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 88 | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | SCJ vs DBJP | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 87 | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | SCJ vs HEWJ | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 82 | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | SCJ vs FLJH |
Top Performing SCJ Alternatives (YTD)
SCJ is at 14.43% YTD. There are 13 ETFs in the Japan Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 26.34%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan Opportunities ETF | 26.34% | 292.99M | Jun 2013 | SCJ vs OPPJ | |
| ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan | 25.72% | 13.96M | Jun 2009 | SCJ vs EZJ | |
| MUFG Japan Small Cap Active ETF | 22.08% | 22.87M | Sep 2025 | SCJ vs MJSC | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 21.03% | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | SCJ vs DBJP | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 20.65% | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | SCJ vs HEWJ |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to SCJ
SCJ has 16.49% 1-year volatility. No ETFs in the Japan Equities category have lower 1-year volatility; the lowest-volatility alternatives shown here go as low as 16.85%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Japan SmallCap Dividend Fund | 16.85% | 383.27M | Jun 2006 | SCJ vs DFJ | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 18.14% | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | SCJ vs DXJ | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | 18.98% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | SCJ vs FLJH | |
| Horizon Kinetics Japan Owner Operator ETF | 19.48% | — | May 2025 | SCJ vs JAPN | |
| iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF | 19.63% | 137.78M | Oct 2001 | SCJ vs JPXN |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to SCJ
SCJ has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.17%. There are 5 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 | SCJ vs OPPJ | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | -10.37% | 722.49M | Jan 2014 | SCJ vs HEWJ | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | -10.39% | 679.07M | Jun 2011 | SCJ vs DBJP | |
| Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF | -10.80% | 171.61M | Nov 2017 | SCJ vs FLJH | |
| WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | -10.98% | 7.20B | Jun 2006 | SCJ 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 | 1.71% | 95.28B | May 2020 | SCJ vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -28.88% | 48.04B | Jan 2024 | SCJ vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 59 | 8.20% | 837.93B | May 2000 | SCJ vs IVV | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 95 | 100.58% | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | SCJ vs SOXX | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 14 | 0.77% | 41.34B | Jul 2002 | SCJ vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 75 | 9.19% | 41.89B | Jun 2014 | SCJ vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 31 | -13.49% | 32.53B | Apr 2006 | SCJ vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -4.73% | 64.29B | Jan 2005 | SCJ vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 67 | 20.47% | 81.35B | May 2000 | SCJ vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 58 | 9.86% | 32.95B | Mar 2008 | SCJ vs ACWI |
Often Compared With SCJ
Investors most often compare SCJ with EWJ, ^N225, EWUS. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare SCJ with Any Fund or Stock
Compare SCJ with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair SCJ with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to SCJ.
Explore SCJ Diversifiers