JPY=X vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JPY=X (USD/JPY) is a currency, while EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) is Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Over the past 10 years, JPY=X returned 4.15%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for EWJ. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a ¥10,000 investment in USD/JPY (JPY=X) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

JPY=X is traded in JPY, while EWJ is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the EWJ values have been converted to JPY using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPY=X achieves a 1.96% return, which is significantly lower than EWJ's 18.62% return. Over the past 10 years, JPY=X has underperformed EWJ with an annualized return of 4.15%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively higher 13.90% annualized return.

JPY=X

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.72%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 3.03%
• 1Y: 11.08%
• 3Y*: 4.56%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 4.15%

EWJ

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 8.44%
• YTD: 18.62%
• 6M: 21.55%
• 1Y: 47.22%
• 3Y*: 23.68%
• 5Y*: 17.36%
• 10Y*: 13.90%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPY=X USD/JPY	1.96%	-0.29%	11.58%	7.54%	13.91%	11.47%	-4.94%	-0.97%	-2.63%	-3.70%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	18.62%	25.47%	19.43%	29.36%	-6.28%	12.75%	9.69%	18.18%	-16.36%	19.67%

Correlation

The correlation between JPY=X and EWJ is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 2007	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between JPY=X and EWJ has dropped to 0.00 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

JPY=X vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

JPY=X

JPY=X Risk / Return Rank: 86
JPY=X Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
JPY=X Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
JPY=X Omega Ratio Rank: 83
JPY=X Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
JPY=X Martin Ratio Rank: 90

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 48
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 49
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USD/JPY (JPY=X) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	JPY=X	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	2.55	-1.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	3.51	-1.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.47	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	4.49	-2.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.04	17.25	-11.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPY=X Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPY=X and EWJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JPY=X	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	2.55	-1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.92	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.73	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.24	-0.10

Drawdowns

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPY=X drawdown since its inception was -38.14%, smaller than the maximum EWJ drawdown of -61.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPY=X and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPY=X	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.14%	-61.45%	+23.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.34%	-10.56%	+6.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.02%	-20.96%	+7.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.84%	-20.96%	+6.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.84%	-33.34%	+18.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.08%	0.00%	-1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.50%	-20.82%	+6.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.29%	2.75%	-1.46%

Volatility

JPY=X vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for USD/JPY (JPY=X) is 0.71%, while iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has a volatility of 3.66%. This indicates that JPY=X experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JPY=X	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.71%	3.66%	-2.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.59%	13.51%	-7.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.71%	18.64%	-10.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.58%	18.88%	-9.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.86%	19.24%	-10.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JPY=X and EWJ in my portfolio?

JPY=X and EWJ have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPY=X or EWJ?

EWJ has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to JPY=X (0.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPY=X dropped -38.14% vs EWJ's -61.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 1.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.