Both funds are passive, market-capitalization-weighted Japan equity ETFs, but EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index while FLJP tracks the FTSE Japan RIC Capped Index. FLJP offers a materially lower expense ratio (0.09%) than EWJ (0.49%), a structural cost advantage that compounds over long holding periods.

Different exposure within the same market: EWJ tracks the broad MSCI Japan Index, while EWJV tracks the MSCI Japan Value Index, a value-tilted subset of Japanese equities. Cost gap is meaningful: EWJV carries a 0.15% expense ratio versus 0.49% for EWJ, giving the value fund a structural cost advantage.

Japan’s exports declined for an eighth month in July, as exports to China (Japan’s biggest trading partner) were hurt amidst the ongoing U.S.-China trade war. According to Ministry of Finance data, total exports from Japan  in July fell -1.6% year-over-year, largely due to a slump in China-bound shipments of car parts and semiconductor production equipment.Economists. had expected a -2.2% decrease. Japan's exports to China plunged -9.3% year-on-year in July, down for a fifth month.

Economic initiatives undertaken by the Japanese government and aggressive easing policies from the country’s central bank have injected new growth momentum into the economy.According to a senior banking executive, however, that’s come with some negative consequences.

Japan must proceed with this year’s scheduled sales tax hike and take steps to more sustainably draw in foreign workers, as a rapidly ageing population and acute labour shortages strain its finances, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.READ MORE...