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Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-09-024535.txt : 20090416
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-09-024535.hdr.sgml : 20090416
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090416115954
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-09-024535
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090416
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090416
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20090416

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JAPAN EQUITY FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000866095
		IRS NUMBER:				223060893
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-06142
		FILM NUMBER:		09753120

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE EVERTRUST PLAZA
		STREET 2:		C/O DAIWA SECURITIES TRUST CO
		CITY:			JERSEY CITY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2019153054

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DAIWA SECURITIES TRUST CO
		STREET 2:		ONE EVERTRUST PLAZA
		CITY:			JERSEY CITY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07302

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	JAPAN EMERGING EQUITY FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920407
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a09-8320_5defa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
<TEXT>

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<head>





</head>

<body lang="EN-US">

<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
  STATES</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="4" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SCHEDULE 14A</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Proxy
  Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of<br>
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by the Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font face="Wingdings">x</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed by a Party other than the
  Registrant</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Wingdings">o</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Preliminary Proxy Statement</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Confidential, for
  Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Proxy Statement</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Definitive Additional Materials</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting Material Pursuant to
  &#167;240.14a-12</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">JAPAN
  EQUITY FUND, INC.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name
  of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Name
  of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="100%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:100.0%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the
  appropriate box):</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">x</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">No fee required.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee computed on table below per
  Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Title of each class of securities to
  which transaction applies:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Aggregate number of securities to
  which transaction applies:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Per unit price or other underlying value
  of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
  amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
  determined):</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Proposed maximum aggregate value of
  transaction:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(5)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Total fee paid:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.3%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fee paid previously with preliminary
  materials.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr style="page-break-inside:avoid;">
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="94%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:94.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check box if any part of the fee is
  offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing
  for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
  filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date
  of its filing.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(1)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Amount Previously Paid:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(2)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Form, Schedule or Registration
  Statement No.:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(3)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filing Party:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(4)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date Filed:</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:5.04%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="4%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:4.36%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="90%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:90.6%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="38" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="33" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="2" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="675" style="border:none;"></td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>

</div>
<!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\105569\09-8320-2\task3488981\8320-2-ba-05.htm',USER='105569',CD='Apr 15 20:50 2009' -->



<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
<div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Important Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Shareholder Meeting of</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="6" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:24.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE JAPAN EQUITY FUND, INC.</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">To Be Held On:</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:4.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">June 1, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:4.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Daiwa Securities America,&nbsp;Inc., Financial Square,</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">32 Old Slip, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10005</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:4.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr height="34" style="height:.35in;">
  <td width="47%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.74%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="22%" height="34" style="border:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.18%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">COMPANY NUMBER</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="34" style="height:.35in;">
  <td width="47%" height="34" valign="top" style="border-bottom:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.74%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="22%" height="34" style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.18%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ACCOUNT NUMBER</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" height="34" valign="top" style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="34" style="height:.35in;">
  <td width="47%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.74%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" height="34" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:6.66%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="22%" height="34" style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:22.18%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CONTROL NUMBER</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="23%" height="34" valign="top" style="border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-left:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.5pt;border-top:none;height:.35in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:23.42%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">This communication presents
only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you
on the Internet. We encourage you to access and review all of the important
information contained in the proxy materials before voting.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">If you want to receive a paper
or e-mail copy of the proxy materials you must request one. There is no charge
to you for requesting a copy. To facilitate timely delivery please make the
request as instructed below before May 25, 2009.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">Please visit
http://www.amstock.com/proxyservices/viewmaterial.asp?CoNumber=14192, where the
following materials are available for view:</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&#183;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&nbsp;Notice of Annual
  Meeting of Stockholders</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&#183;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&nbsp;Proxy Statement</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&#183;</font><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&nbsp;Form&nbsp;of
  Electronic Proxy Card</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:9.5pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">TO REQUEST MATERIAL:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">TELEPHONE:
  888-Proxy-NA(888-776-9962) and 718-921-8562 (for international callers)</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:2.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">E-MAIL:
  info@amstock.com</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Symbol" style="font-size:2.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">WEBSITE: http://www.amstock.com/proxyservices/requestmaterials.asp</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:4.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Symbol" style="font-size:4.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">TO VOTE:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">ONLINE:</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">
  To access your online proxy card, please visit <b><u style="font-weight:bold;">www.voteproxy.com</u></b> and follow the on-screen instructions.
  You may enter your voting instructions at www.voteproxy.com up until 11:59 PM
  Eastern Time the day before the cut-off or meeting date.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:5.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- OR -</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">IN PERSON: </font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">You may vote your shares
  in person by attending the Annual Meeting.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:5.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- OR -</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">TELEPHONE: </font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">To vote by telephone,
  please visit <b>https://secure.amstock.com/voteproxy/login2.asp
  </b>to view the materials and to obtain the toll free number to call.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="100%" colspan="5" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:5.0pt;font-weight:bold;">- OR -</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="25%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:25.84%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="74%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:74.16%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">MAIL: </font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:9.5pt;">You may request a card by
  following the instructions above.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 5.05pt .0001pt .1in;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.1in;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:7.5pt;">1.&nbsp;To elect Directors of the Fund for a
  term expiring on the date on which Directors are elected at the Annual
  Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund in 2012 or the date on which their
  successors are elected and qualified.</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 5.05pt .0001pt .1in;text-align:justify;text-autospace:none;text-indent:-.1in;text-justify:inter-ideograph;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:6.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="12%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.22%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .1in;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:7.5pt;font-weight:bold;">NOMINEES:</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="13%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:13.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Yoshihiro Fujisawa</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.62%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Class&nbsp;I</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="12%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:12.22%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .1in;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="13%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:13.34%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Martin J. Gruber</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="24%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:24.62%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;">Class&nbsp;I</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">Please note that you cannot
  use this notice to vote by mail.</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="50%" colspan="4" valign="top" style="border:none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:50.18%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:9.5pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="49%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:49.82%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-autospace:none;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr height="0">
  <td width="91" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="100" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="2" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="182" style="border:none;"></td>
  <td width="373" style="border:none;"></td>
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