The Japan Equity Fund, Inc.(1) Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan Equity Fund, Inc.¹ (the "Fund") (NYSE: JEQ), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of January 31, 2014.  In addition, the Fund announced the results of the recent Special Meeting of Stockholders.

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The Fund's total returns for various periods through January 31, 2014 are provided below.  (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):

As of January 31, 2014, the portfolio was invested as follows:

The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of January 31, 2014, representing 42.3% of net assets, were:

Results of Special Meeting of Stockholders

The Special Meeting of Stockholders was held on December 19, 2013 at the offices of Clifford Chance US LLP, 31 West 52^nd Street, New York, New York 10019, at 10:00 a.m., New York time.  The description of the proposal and number of shares voted at the meeting are as follows:

To approve an investment management agreement between the Fund and Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited:

Important Information

Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable.  All reasonable care has been taken to ensure accuracy.  However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, Aberdeen Asset Management Inc. (the current Administrator), Daiwa Securities Trust Company (the former Administrator), Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the Investment Manager), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy.  Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S. registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. The Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Total return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past performance.  Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower.  Holdings are subject to change and are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities shown.  Inception date July 17, 1992.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact: [email protected]

¹ As of 01/06/2014, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited assumed investment management responsibility from Daiwa SB Investments (USA) Ltd., a subsidiary of Daiwa SB Investments (Tokyo), for the Japan Equity Fund, Inc.

SOURCE The Japan Equity Fund, Inc.