MJFOX vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MJFOX (Matthews Japan Fund) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both Japan Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MJFOX returned 9.11%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for EWJ. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MJFOX charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MJFOX achieves a 17.30% return, which is significantly higher than EWJ's 15.90% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MJFOX having a 9.11% annualized return and EWJ not far ahead at 9.33%.

MJFOX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 5.96%
• YTD: 17.30%
• 6M: 18.50%
• 1Y: 27.12%
• 3Y*: 23.18%
• 5Y*: 8.66%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

EWJ

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 6M: 17.72%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	17.30%	22.72%	16.31%	25.79%	-27.84%	-5.79%	29.80%	26.08%	-20.12%	33.22%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	15.90%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-14.10%	24.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MJFOX and EWJ is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1999	0.77

The correlation between MJFOX and EWJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (all time) to 0.92 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MJFOX vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

MJFOX

MJFOX Risk / Return Rank: 29
MJFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
MJFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
MJFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 25
MJFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MJFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 46
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) 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.

	MJFOX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.56	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.29	-0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.36	-0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.22	7.94	+0.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MJFOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MJFOX 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

	MJFOX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.41	1.56	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.49	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.54	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.11	+0.25

Drawdowns

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MJFOX drawdown since its inception was -63.52%, roughly equal to the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MJFOX and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MJFOX	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.52%	-60.93%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.53%	-13.59%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.14%	-14.68%	-2.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.85%	-33.14%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.85%	-33.14%	-9.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.21%	-0.42%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.26%	-21.74%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	4.03%	+0.01%

Volatility

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) has a higher volatility of 4.98% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 4.36%. This indicates that MJFOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MJFOX	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.98%	4.36%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.36%	15.03%	+2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.93%	19.56%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.41%	18.23%	+2.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.86%	17.28%	+1.58%

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MJFOX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

MJFOX vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

MJFOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.67%, less than EWJ's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.90%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	1.67%	1.96%	2.12%	6.09%	7.19%	8.08%	10.15%	8.63%	4.14%	3.90%	1.15%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MJFOX and EWJ in my portfolio?

MJFOX and EWJ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MJFOX or EWJ?

MJFOX has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to EWJ (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MJFOX dropped -63.52% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.41), 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.