Looking ahead, a sales tax increase will be implemented in April and potentially dampen consumer spending.
Currency-hedged db X-trackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSEArca: DBJP) has outperformed EWJ over the past year due to the depreciating yen currency. DBJP, though, has declined 12.8% year-to-date. The strengthening yen has been a negative factor weighing DBJP this year, causing DBJP to underperform the non-currency hedged EWJ over the past couple weeks.
iShares MSCI Japan ETF
For more information on Japan, visit our Japan category.