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Japanese Stock Market total returns by year (including dividends)

As of market close, Oct 21, 2026

Japanese Stock Market total returns by year (1997–2026)#

See every year as a chart, with the events that moved it → Or click a year below for its own chart.

Japanese Stock Market annual returns by year
YearTotal return
2026YTD
+19.2%
2025
+25.8%
2024
+7.0%
2023
+20.3%
2022
-17.7%
2021
+1.2%
2020
+15.4%
2019
+19.3%
2018
-14.1%
2017
+24.3%
2016
+2.8%
2015
+9.2%
2014
-6.2%
2013
+26.0%
2012
+9.2%
2011
-14.8%
2010
+13.6%
2009
+3.1%
2008
-27.0%
2007
-5.5%
2006
+5.9%
2005
+24.3%
2004
+13.7%
2003
+38.7%
2002
-9.9%
2001
-30.3%
2000
-29.9%
1999
+60.9%
1998
+3.9%
1997
-24.4%
Annualized
+2.7%
1997–2026
Average year
+5.0%
29 full years
Best year
+60.9%
1999
Worst year
-30.3%
2001
Positive years
19/29
66% up

Total return by period#

Annual

Methodology#

Total returns, dividends reinvested, measured on EWJ. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate; the current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns.

FAQ#

What is Japanese Stock Market's average annual return?
Since 1997, the Japanese Stock Market (proxied by EWJ, dividends reinvested) has returned about 2.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 5.0%.
What were Japanese Stock Market's best and worst years?
Over 1997–2026, the best year was 1999 (+60.9%) and the worst was 2001 (-30.3%).
How often is Japanese Stock Market up in a year?
19 of the 29 full years since 1997 were positive — about 66% of the time.

More on Japanese Stock Market

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