VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VJPN.L (Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing) and VAPX.L (Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing) are both exchange-traded funds - VJPN.L is a Japan Equities fund tracking the TOPIX TR JPY, while VAPX.L is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VJPN.L returned 11.10%/yr vs 12.84%/yr for VAPX.L. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VJPN.L achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly lower than VAPX.L's 48.85% return. Over the past 10 years, VJPN.L has underperformed VAPX.L with an annualized return of 11.10%, while VAPX.L has yielded a comparatively higher 12.84% annualized return.

VJPN.L

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 6.43%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 16.26%
• 1Y: 35.06%
• 3Y*: 16.39%
• 5Y*: 10.73%
• 10Y*: 11.10%

VAPX.L

• 1D: -3.09%
• 1M: 10.87%
• YTD: 48.85%
• 6M: 53.84%
• 1Y: 83.65%
• 3Y*: 24.61%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 12.84%

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

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VJPN.L Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	16.32%	18.86%	9.05%	14.00%	-5.70%	2.26%	12.84%	14.56%	-8.37%	14.72%
VAPX.L Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	48.85%	30.80%	-3.74%	3.63%	-1.84%	1.30%	14.91%	12.74%	-9.53%	20.31%

Correlation

The correlation between VJPN.L and VAPX.L is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2013	0.61

The correlation between VJPN.L and VAPX.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (3 years) to 0.61 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VJPN.L	VAPX.L
Industrials	26.6%	12.5%
Technology	17.4%	30.2%
Financial Services	15.9%	25.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.8%	5.3%
Communication Services	7.1%	2.4%
Healthcare	5.9%	3.3%
Basic Materials	4.3%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	2.5%
Real Estate	3.4%	4.9%
Utilities	1.3%	2.0%
Energy	1.0%	2.3%

Return for Risk

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VJPN.L

VJPN.L Risk / Return Rank: 60
VJPN.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VJPN.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VJPN.L Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VJPN.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VJPN.L Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VAPX.L

VAPX.L Risk / Return Rank: 94
VAPX.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VAPX.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VAPX.L Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VAPX.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VAPX.L Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L). 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.

	VJPN.L	VAPX.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	4.11	-2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.75	4.98	-2.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.75	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	6.18	-2.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.40	23.27	-12.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VJPN.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is lower than the VAPX.L Sharpe Ratio of 4.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VJPN.L and VAPX.L, 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

	VJPN.L	VAPX.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.91	4.11	-2.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.79	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.74	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.54	+0.09

Drawdowns

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VJPN.L drawdown since its inception was -25.19%, smaller than the maximum VAPX.L drawdown of -30.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VJPN.L and VAPX.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VJPN.L	VAPX.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.19%	-30.88%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.68%	-13.47%	+2.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-16.88%	+3.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.91%	-18.04%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.19%	-30.88%	+5.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.50%	+3.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.26%	-6.47%	+1.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.58%	-0.29%

Volatility

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L) is 3.85%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VAPX.L) has a volatility of 10.22%. This indicates that VJPN.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAPX.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VJPN.L	VAPX.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	10.22%	-6.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.62%	17.90%	-3.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.91%	20.27%	-2.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.50%	16.00%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.90%	17.39%	-1.49%

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VJPN.L and VAPX.L have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VJPN.L vs. VAPX.L - Dividend Comparison

VJPN.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%, more than VAPX.L's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAPX.L Vanguard FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	1.54%	2.36%	3.20%	3.30%	4.12%	2.99%	1.81%	3.28%	3.55%	3.07%	2.71%	3.45%
VJPN.L Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	2.23%	2.54%	2.47%	2.39%	2.64%	2.31%	2.14%	2.36%	2.55%	1.94%	2.04%	2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VJPN.L and VAPX.L in my portfolio?

VJPN.L and VAPX.L have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VJPN.L or VAPX.L?

Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VJPN.L or VAPX.L?

VJPN.L and VAPX.L have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

What is the main difference between VJPN.L and VAPX.L?

VJPN.L is categorized as Japan Equities, while VAPX.L is Asia Pacific Equities. VJPN.L tracks TOPIX TR JPY, while VAPX.L tracks MSCI AC Asia Pac Ex JPN NR USD.