What is iShares MSCI Japan ETF's average annual return?

Since 1997, iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has returned about 2.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 5.0%.

What were iShares MSCI Japan ETF'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 iShares MSCI Japan ETF up in a year?

19 of the 29 full years since 1997 were positive — about 66% of the time.

EWJ

iShares MSCI Japan ETFETF · Country ETFs

$91.23+$0.12 (+0.14%)as of market close, Jul 24, 2026

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EWJ returns by year

iShares MSCI Japan ETF has returned +2.5% annually (CAGR) since 1997. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) below, through July 24, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+2.5%

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

iShares MSCI Japan ETF returns by year (1997–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

iShares MSCI Japan ETF annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$80.74	$91.23	+0.0%	+13.0%
2025	$67.10	$80.74	+5.3%	+25.7%
2024	$64.14	$67.10	+2.4%	+7.0%
2023	$54.44	$64.14	+2.4%	+20.3%
2022	$66.96	$54.44	+1.0%	-17.7%
2021	$67.56	$66.96	+2.0%	+1.1%
2020	$59.24	$67.56	+1.3%	+15.4%
2019	$50.69	$59.24	+2.4%	+19.3%
2018	$59.93	$50.69	+1.3%	-14.1%
2017	$48.86	$59.93	+1.6%	+24.3%
2016	$48.48	$48.86	+2.0%	+2.7%
2015	$44.96	$48.48	+1.3%	+9.2%
2014	$48.56	$44.96	+1.2%	-6.2%
2013	$39.00	$48.56	+1.5%	+26.0%
2012	$36.44	$39.00	+2.2%	+9.2%
2011	$43.64	$36.44	+1.7%	-14.8%
2010	$38.96	$43.64	+1.6%	+13.6%
2009	$38.32	$38.96	+1.5%	+3.1%
2008	$53.16	$38.32	+0.9%	-27.0%
2007	$56.84	$53.16	+1.0%	-5.5%
2006	$54.08	$56.84	+0.7%	+5.9%
2005	$43.68	$54.08	+0.5%	+24.3%
2004	$38.56	$43.68	+0.5%	+13.7%
2003	$27.80	$38.56	+0.0%	+38.7%
2002	$30.84	$27.80	+0.0%	-9.9%
2001	$44.25	$30.84	+0.0%	-30.3%
2000	$65.25	$44.25	+2.2%	-30.0%
1999	$41.00	$65.25	+1.7%	+60.9%
1998	$39.50	$41.00	+0.1%	+3.9%
1997	$52.25	$39.50	+0.0%	-24.4%

Total return by period

-60%-40%-20%+0%+20%+40%+60%

'97'00'03'06'09'12'15'18'21'24

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from EWJ's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

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FAQ

What is iShares MSCI Japan ETF's average annual return?: Since 1997, iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has returned about 2.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 5.0%.
What were iShares MSCI Japan ETF'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 iShares MSCI Japan ETF up in a year?: 19 of the 29 full years since 1997 were positive — about 66% of the time.