MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER JAPAN FUND
497, 1999-09-01
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<PAGE>
                                                    PROSPECTUS - AUGUST 30, 1999

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                                                                      JAPAN FUND

                                 [COVER PHOTO]

                         A MUTUAL FUND THAT SEEKS LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION

  The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to
                      the contrary is a criminal offense.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>                                                     <C>
The Fund                  Investment Objective..................................                   1
                          Principal Investment Strategies.......................                   1
                          Principal Risks.......................................                   1
                          Past Performance......................................                   4
                          Fees and Expenses.....................................                   5
                          Additional Investment Strategy Information............                   6
                          Additional Risk Information...........................                   7
                          Fund Management.......................................                   8

Shareholder Information   Pricing Fund Shares...................................                  10
                          How to Buy Shares.....................................                  10
                          How to Exchange Shares................................                  12
                          How to Sell Shares....................................                  13
                          Distributions.........................................                  15
                          Tax Consequences......................................                  16
                          Share Class Arrangements..............................                  17

Financial Highlights      ......................................................                  24

Our Family of Funds       ......................................................   Inside Back Cover

                          THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND. PLEASE READ
                          IT CAREFULLY AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
CAPITAL APPRECIATION
AN INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE HAVING THE GOAL OF SELECTING SECURITIES WITH THE
POTENTIAL TO RISE IN PRICE RATHER THAN PAY OUT INCOME.
[End Sidebar]

THE FUND

[ICON]  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Japan Fund seeks long-term capital
           appreciation.

[ICON]  PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The Fund will normally invest at least 65% of its total assets in
           common or preferred stocks of companies which are located in Japan. A
           company will be considered located in Japan if (i) it is organized
           under the laws of Japan and has its principal office in Japan, (ii)
           it derives 50% or more of its revenues from businesses in Japan or
           (iii) its equity securities are traded principally on a Japanese
           stock exchange. Up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested
           in Japanese stocks that are NOT traded on the "first" (i.e.,
           principal) sections of the three main Japanese exchanges (the Tokyo,
           Osaka and Nagoya exchanges).

           The Fund's "Sub-Advisor" - Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment
           Management Inc. - generally invests Fund assets in companies it
           believes have earnings growth potential and are attractively priced.

           Common stock is a share ownership or equity interest in a
           corporation. It may or may not pay dividends, as some companies
           reinvest all of their profits back into their businesses, while
           others pay out some of their profits to shareholders as dividends. A
           depository receipt is generally issued by a bank or financial
           institution and represents an ownership interest in the common stock
           or other equity securities of a foreign company.

           In addition, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in
           convertible securities and fixed-income securities of companies
           located in Japan or guaranteed by the Japanese government, and in
           equity or fixed-income securities of companies located in, or
           governments of, developed countries in Asia, Europe or North America
           (including the U.S.). The Fund may also invest in forward currency
           contracts and options on foreign currencies.

           In pursuing the Fund's investment objective, the Sub-Advisor has
           considerable leeway in deciding which investments it buys, holds or
           sells on a day-to-day basis - and which trading strategies it uses.
           For example, the Sub-Advisor in its discretion may determine to use
           some permitted trading strategies while not using others.

[ICON]  PRINCIPAL RISKS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
           objective. The Fund's share price will fluctuate with changes in the
           market value of the Fund's portfolio securities. When you sell Fund
           shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them and,
           accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>
           A principal risk of investing in the Fund is associated with its
           Japanese stock investments. In general, stock values fluctuate in
           response to activities specific to the company as well as general
           market, economic and political conditions. Stock prices can fluctuate
           widely in response to these factors.

           JAPANESE SECURITIES. The Fund concentrates its investments in the
           common stock (including depository receipts) of Japanese companies.
           Consequently, the Fund's share price may be more volatile than that
           of mutual funds not sharing this geographic concentration. The value
           of the Fund's shares may vary widely in response to political and
           economic factors affecting companies in Japan.

           Securities in Japan are denominated and quoted in yen. As a result,
           the value of the Fund's Japanese securities as measured in U.S.
           dollars may be affected by fluctuations in the value of the Japanese
           yen relative to the U.S. dollar.

           Securities traded on Japanese stock exchanges have exhibited
           significant volatility in recent years. In addition, Japanese
           securities that are not traded on the first sections of the three
           main Japanese exchanges may be more volatile and less liquid than
           those traded on the first sections.

           The decline in the Japanese securities markets since 1989 has
           contributed to a weakness in the Japanese economy. Continued economic
           weakness could result in further declines in the Japanese securities
           markets. Japan's economy may be significantly affected by any strains
           in its trade relations, particularly with the U.S.

           Japanese securities are also subject to the more general risks
           associated with foreign securities which are discussed below.

           FOREIGN SECURITIES IN GENERAL. The Fund's investments in foreign
           securities (including depository receipts) involve risks that are in
           addition to the risks associated with domestic securities. One
           additional risk is currency risk. While the price of Fund shares is
           quoted in U.S. dollars, the Fund generally converts U.S. dollars to a
           foreign market's local currency to purchase a security in that
           market. If the value of that local currency falls relative to the
           U.S. dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the foreign security will
           decrease. This is true even if the foreign security's local price
           remains unchanged.

           Foreign securities also have risks related to economic and political
           developments abroad, including expropriations, confiscatory taxation,
           exchange control regulation, limitation on the use or transfer of
           Fund assets and any effects of foreign social, economic or political
           instability. In particular, adverse political or economic
           developments in Japan or another particular region or country in
           which the Fund invests could cause a substantial decline in value of
           the portfolio. Foreign companies, in general, are not subject to the
           regulatory requirements of U.S. companies and, as such, there may be
           less publicly available information about these companies. Moreover,
           foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards
           generally are different from those applicable to U.S. companies.
           Finally, in the event of a default of any foreign

 2
<PAGE>
           debt obligations, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or
           enforce a judgment against the issuers of the securities.

           Securities of foreign issuers may be less liquid than comparable
           securities of U.S. issuers and, as such, their price changes may be
           more volatile. Furthermore, foreign exchanges and broker-dealers are
           generally subject to less government and exchange scrutiny and
           regulation than their U.S. counterparts. In addition, differences in
           clearance and settlement procedures in foreign markets may occasion
           delays in settlements of the Fund's trades effected in those markets.
           Delays in purchasing securities may result in the Fund losing
           investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of foreign
           securities due to settlement delays could result in losses to the
           Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the securities.


           OTHER RISKS. The performance of the Fund also will depend on whether
           the Sub-Advisor is successful in pursuing the Fund's investment
           strategy. The Fund is also subject to other risks from its
           permissible investments, including the risks associated with its
           investments in fixed-income and convertible securities, forward
           currency contracts and options on foreign currencies. For more
           information about these risks, see the "Additional Risk Information"
           section.


           Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or
           insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.

                                                                               3
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
THIS CHART SHOWS HOW THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND'S CLASS B SHARES HAS VARIED
FROM YEAR TO YEAR OVER THE PAST 2 CALENDAR YEARS.
AVERAGE ANNUAL
TOTAL RETURNS
THIS TABLE COMPARES THE FUND'S AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH THOSE OF A BROAD
MEASURE OF MARKET PERFORMANCE OVER TIME, AS WELL AS WITH AN INDEX OF FUNDS WITH
SIMILAR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES. THE FUND'S RETURNS INCLUDE THE MAXIMUM APPLICABLE
SALES CHARGE FOR EACH CLASS AND ASSUME YOU SOLD YOUR SHARES AT THE END OF EACH
PERIOD.
[End Sidebar]

[ICON]  PAST PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of
           investing in the Fund. The Fund's past performance does not indicate
           how the Fund will perform in the future.

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS - CALENDAR YEARS

EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC

<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
1997         -15.98%
'98            6.97%
</TABLE>

The bar chart reflects the performance of Class B shares; the performance of the
other Classes will differ because the Classes have different ongoing fees. The
performance information in the bar chart does not reflect the deduction of sales
charges; if these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than shown.
Year-to-date total return as of June 30, 1999 was 24.78%.

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar
quarter was 23.48% (quarter ended June 30, 1997) and the lowest return for a
calendar quarter was -17.32% (quarter ended December 31, 1997).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          LIFE OF FUND
                                          PAST 1 YEAR   (SINCE 4/26/96)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A(1)                                  2.41%                --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class B                                     1.97%            -12.49%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class C(1)                                  6.14%                --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class D(1)                                  8.58%                --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MSCI Japan Index(2)                         5.25%            -15.31%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lipper Japanese Fund Average(3)             8.10%             -9.40%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1    Classes A, C and D commenced operations on July 28, 1997.
2    The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Japan Index is a
     capitalization weighted index that measures performance, in U.S. dollars,
     of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Index does not include
     expenses and fees or charges. The Index is unmanaged and should not be
     considered an investment.
3    The Lipper Japanese Fund Average tracks the performance of all funds that
     concentrate their investments in equity securities of Japanese companies.

 4
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
SHAREHOLDER FEES
THESE FEES ARE PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT.
ANNUAL FUND
OPERATING EXPENSES
THESE EXPENSES ARE DEDUCTED FROM THE FUND'S ASSETS AND ARE BASED ON EXPENSES
PAID FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 1999, RESTATED TO REFLECT A MANAGEMENT
FEE REDUCTION.
[End Sidebar]

[ICON]  FEES AND EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The table below briefly describes the fees and expenses that you may
           pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The Fund offers four
           Classes of shares: Classes A, B, C and D. Each Class has a different
           combination of fees, expenses and other features. The Fund does not
           charge account or exchange fees. See the "Share Class Arrangements"
           section for further fee and expense information.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CLASS A     CLASS B     CLASS C    CLASS D
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHAREHOLDER FEES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a
 percentage of offering price)                                  5.25%(1)    None        None       None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
 (as a percentage based on the lesser of the offering price
 or net asset value at redemption)                             None(2)      5.00%(3)    1.00%(4)   None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Management fee(5)                                              0.95%       0.95%       0.95%      0.95%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and service (12b-1) fees                          0.13%       1.00%       0.99%      None
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses                                                 0.63%       0.63%       0.63%      0.63%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual Fund operating expenses                           1.71%       2.58%       2.57%      1.58%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1    Reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over.
2    Investments that are not subject to any sales charge at the time of
     purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of
     1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within one year after
     purchase, except for certain specific circumstances.
3    The CDSC is scaled down to 1.00% during the sixth year, reaching zero
     thereafter. See "Share Class Arrangements" for a complete discussion of the
     CDSC.
4    Only applicable if you sell your shares within one year after purchase.
5    Restated to reflect a reduction in the management fee by 0.05% of the
     average daily net assets (which took effect on October 1, 1998 when the
     Sub-Advisor became the sub-advisor to the Fund).

           EXAMPLE
           This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
           the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

           The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund, your
           investment has a 5% return each year, and the Fund's operating
           expenses remain the same. Although your

                                                                               5
<PAGE>
           actual costs may be higher or lower, the tables below show your costs
           at the end of each period based on these assumptions depending upon
           whether or not you sell your shares at the end of each period.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         IF YOU SOLD YOUR SHARES:                    IF YOU HELD YOUR SHARES:
                 -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
                 1 YEAR    3 YEARS    5 YEARS    10 YEARS    1 YEAR    3 YEARS    5 YEARS    10 YEARS
<S>              <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
 CLASS A           $690      $1035      $1404      $2438       $690      $1035      $1404      $2438
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
 CLASS B           $761      $1102      $1570      $2915       $261      $ 802      $1370      $2915
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
 CLASS C           $360      $ 799      $1365      $2905       $260      $ 799      $1365      $2905
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
 CLASS D           $161      $ 499      $ 860      $1878       $161      $ 499      $ 860      $1878
- ----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

           Long-term shareholders of Class B and Class C may pay more in sales
           charges, including distribution fees, than the economic equivalent of
           the maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the National
           Association of Securities Dealers.

[ICON]  ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           This section provides additional information relating to the Fund's
           principal strategies.

           FIXED-INCOME AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to
           35% of its total assets in fixed-income securities (including zero
           coupon securities) or securities convertible into common stock of
           companies located in Japan, Asia, Europe or North America (including
           the U.S.). These securities may be rated below investment grade
           (commonly known as "junk bonds").

           FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON CURRENCIES. The Fund's
           investments also may include forward currency contracts, which
           involve the purchase or sale of a specific amount of foreign currency
           at the current price with delivery at a specified future date. The
           Fund may use these contracts to hedge against adverse price movements
           in its portfolio securities or securities it may purchase and the
           currencies in which they are denominated, or to gain exposure to
           currencies underlying various securities or financial instruments. In
           addition, the Fund may invest in put and call options with respect to
           foreign currencies. Options may be used to seek to protect against a
           decline in currency prices or an increase in prices of currencies
           that may be purchased.


           DEFENSIVE INVESTING. The Fund may take temporary "defensive"
           positions in attempting to respond to adverse market conditions. The
           Fund may invest any amount of its assets in cash or money market
           instruments in a defensive posture when the Sub-Advisor believes it
           is advisable to do so. Although taking a defensive posture is
           designed to protect the Fund from an anticipated market downturn, it
           could have the effect of reducing the benefit from any upswing in the
           market. When the Fund takes a defensive position, it may not achieve
           its investment objective.


           The percentage limitations relating to the composition of the Fund's
           portfolio apply at the time the Fund acquires an investment and refer
           to the Fund's net assets, unless

 6
<PAGE>
           otherwise noted. Subsequent percentage changes that result from
           market fluctuations will not require the Fund to sell any portfolio
           security. The Fund may change its principal investment strategies
           without shareholder approval; however, you would be notified of any
           changes.

[ICON]  ADDITIONAL RISK INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           This section provides additional information relating to the
           principal risks of investing in the Fund.

           FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. All fixed-income securities, such as
           corporate debt, are subject to two types of risk: credit risk and
           interest rate risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the
           issuer of a security will be unable to make interest payments and/or
           repay the principal on its debt.

           Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a
           fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level of
           interest rates. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the
           prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general
           level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income
           securities go up. (Zero coupon securities are typically subject to
           greater price fluctuations than comparable securities that pay
           interest.) A portion of the Fund's fixed-income securities may
           include junk bonds, which have speculative characteristics.

           CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in convertible securities
           which subject the Fund to the risks associated with both fixed-income
           securities and common stocks. To the extent that a convertible
           security's investment value is greater than its conversion value, its
           price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and
           decrease when interests rates rise, as with a fixed-income security.
           If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of
           the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the
           price of the underlying equity security. A portion of these
           securities may include junk bonds, which have speculative
           characteristics.

           FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON CURRENCIES. Any Fund
           participation in forward currency contracts also involves risks. If
           the Sub-Advisor employs a strategy that does not correlate well with
           the Fund's investments or the currencies in which the investments are
           denominated, currency contracts could result in a loss. The contracts
           also may increase the Fund's volatility and may involve a significant
           risk. In addition, if the Fund invests in options on currencies, its
           participation in these markets would subject the Fund's portfolio to
           certain risks. The Sub-Advisor's predictions of movements in the
           direction of the currency markets may be inaccurate, and the adverse
           consequences to the Fund (e.g., a reduction in the Fund's net asset
           value or a reduction in the amount of income available for
           distribution) may leave the Fund in a worse position than if these
           strategies were not used. The options may be over-the-counter
           options, which are options negotiated with dealers; there is no
           secondary market for these investments.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER ADVISORS INC.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGER IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A LEADER IN THE MUTUAL FUND
INDUSTRY AND TOGETHER WITH MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER SERVICES COMPANY INC., ITS
WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY, HAS MORE THAN $137 BILLION IN ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT
OR ADMINISTRATION AS OF JULY 31, 1999.
[End Sidebar]

           YEAR 2000. The Fund could be adversely affected if the computer
           systems necessary for the efficient operation of the "Investment
           Manager" - Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc., the Sub-Advisor,
           the Fund's other service providers and the markets and corporate and
           governmental issuers in which the Fund invests do not properly
           process and calculate date-related information from and after January
           1, 2000. While year 2000-related computer problems could have a
           negative effect on the Fund, the Investment Manager, the Sub-Advisor
           and their affiliates are working hard to avoid any problems and to
           obtain assurances from their service providers that they are taking
           similar steps.

           In addition, it is possible that the markets for securities in which
           the Fund invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures
           throughout the financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000.
           Improperly functioning trading systems may result in settlement
           problems and liquidity issues. In addition, corporate and
           governmental data processing errors also may result in production
           problems for individual companies and overall economic uncertainties.
           Earnings of individual issuers will be affected by remediation costs,
           which may be substantial and may be reported inconsistently in U.S.
           and foreign financial statements. Accordingly, the Fund's investments
           may be adversely affected.

[ICON]  FUND MANAGEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The Fund has retained the Investment Manager - Morgan Stanley Dean
           Witter Advisors Inc. - to provide administrative services, manage its
           business affairs and supervise the investment of its assets. The
           Investment Manager has, in turn, contracted with the Sub-Advisor -
           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management Inc. - to invest the
           Fund's assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and
           sale of portfolio securities. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment
           Management Inc. has been the Sub-Advisor of the Fund since October 1,
           1998. The Investment Manager is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan
           Stanley Dean Witter & Co., a preeminent global financial services
           firm that maintains leading market positions in each of its three
           primary businesses: securities, asset management and credit services.
           Its main business office is located at Two World Trade Center, New
           York, New York 10048.

           The Sub-Advisor, together with its institutional investment
           management affiliates, manages more than $150 billion primarily for
           employee benefit plans, investment companies, endowments, foundations
           and wealthy individuals. The Sub-Advisor also is a subsidiary of
           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. Its main business office is located
           at 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020.

 8
<PAGE>
           Kunihiko Sugio, Principal of the Sub-Advisor, and John R. Alkire,
           Managing Director of the Sub-Advisor and President of Morgan Stanley
           Investment Advisory, Japan, are the primary portfolio managers of the
           Fund. Mr. Sugio has been managing Japanese equity portfolios for the
           Sub-Advisor for over five years.


           The Fund pays the Investment Manager a monthly management fee as full
           compensation for the services and facilities furnished to the Fund,
           and for Fund expenses assumed by the Investment Manager. The fee is
           based on the Fund's average daily net assets. The Investment Manager
           pays the Sub-Advisor monthly compensation equal to 40% of this fee.
           For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1999, the Fund accrued total
           compensation to the Investment Manager amounting to 0.97% of the
           Fund's average daily net assets. The management fee was reduced from
           1.00% to 0.95% of the Fund's daily net assets on October 1, 1998,
           which was the day the Sub-Advisor was appointed.


                                                                               9
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
CONTACTING A
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FAMILY OF FUNDS AND WOULD LIKE
TO CONTACT A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, CALL (800) THE-DEAN FOR THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF
THE MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER OFFICE NEAREST YOU. YOU MAY ALSO ACCESS OUR
OFFICE LOCATOR ON OUR INTERNET SITE AT: www.msdw.com/individual/funds
[End Sidebar]

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

[ICON]  PRICING FUND SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The price of Fund shares (excluding sales charges), called "net asset
           value," is based on the value of the Fund's portfolio securities.
           While the assets of each Class are invested in a single portfolio of
           securities, the net asset value of each Class will differ because the
           Classes have different ongoing distribution fees.

           The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined once daily at
           4:00 p.m. Eastern time on each day that the New York Stock Exchange
           is open (or, on days when the New York Stock Exchange closes prior to
           4:00 p.m., at such earlier time). Shares will not be priced on days
           that the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

           The value of the Fund's portfolio securities is based on the
           securities' market price when available. When a market price is not
           readily available, including circumstances under which the Investment
           Manager and/or Sub-Advisor determines that a security's market price
           is not accurate, a portfolio security is valued at its fair value, as
           determined under procedures established by the Fund's Board of
           Trustees. In these cases, the Fund's net asset value will reflect
           certain portfolio securities' fair value rather than their market
           price. Due to the Fund's holdings of securities that are primarily
           listed on foreign exchanges, the values of the Fund's portfolio
           securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase
           or sell your shares.

           An exception to the Fund's general policy of using market prices
           concerns its short-term debt portfolio securities. Debt securities
           with remaining maturities of sixty days or less at the time of
           purchase are valued at amortized cost. However, if the cost does not
           reflect the securities' market value, these securities will be valued
           at their fair value.

[ICON]  HOW TO BUY SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           You may open a new account to buy Fund shares or buy additional Fund
           shares for an existing account by contacting your Morgan Stanley Dean
           Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
           representative. Your Financial Advisor will assist you, step-by-step,
           with the procedures to invest in the Fund. You may also purchase
           shares directly by calling the Fund's transfer agent and requesting
           an application.

           Because every investor has different immediate financial needs and
           long-term investment goals, the Fund offers investors four Classes of
           shares: Classes A, B, C and D. Class D shares are only offered to a
           limited group of investors. Each Class of shares offers a distinct
           structure of sales charges, distribution and service fees, and other
           features that are designed to address a variety of needs. Your
           Financial Advisor or other authorized financial representative can
           help you decide which Class may be most appropriate for you. When
           purchasing Fund shares, you must specify which Class of shares you
           wish to purchase.

 10
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
EASYINVEST-SM-
A PURCHASE PLAN THAT ALLOWS YOU TO TRANSFER MONEY AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR
CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT OR FROM A MONEY MARKET FUND ON A SEMI-MONTHLY,
MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BASIS. CONTACT YOUR MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FINANCIAL
ADVISOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SERVICE.
[End Sidebar]

           When you buy Fund shares, the shares are purchased at the next share
           price calculated (less any applicable front-end sales charge for
           Class A shares) after we receive your purchase order. Your payment is
           due on the third business day after you place your purchase order. We
           reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of Fund
           shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINIMUM INVESTMENT AMOUNTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            MINIMUM INVESTMENT
                                                                          ----------------------
 INVESTMENT OPTIONS                                                       INITIAL    ADDITIONAL
<S>                                  <C>                                  <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Regular Accounts                                                          $ 1,000      $ 100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Individual Retirement Accounts:     Regular IRAs                          $ 1,000      $ 100
                                     Education IRAs                           $500      $ 100
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 EASYINVEST-SM-                      (Automatically from your checking
                                     or savings account or Money Market
                                     Fund)                                   $100*      $ 100*
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*    Provided your schedule of investments totals $1,000 in twelve months.

           There is no minimum investment amount if you purchase Fund shares
           through: (1) the Investment Manager's mutual fund asset allocation
           plan, (2) a program, approved by the Fund's distributor, in which you
           pay an asset-based fee for advisory, administrative and/ or brokerage
           services, or (3) employer-sponsored employee benefit plan accounts.

           INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR CERTAIN INSTITUTIONAL AND OTHER
           INVESTORS/CLASS D SHARES. To be eligible to purchase Class D shares,
           you must qualify under one of the investor categories specified in
           the "Share Class Arrangements" section of this PROSPECTUS.

           SUBSEQUENT INVESTMENTS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE FUND. In addition to
           buying additional Fund shares for an existing account by contacting
           your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor, you may send a
           check directly to the Fund. To buy additional shares in this manner:

           - Write a "letter of instruction" to the Fund specifying the name(s)
             on the account, the account number, the social security or tax
             identification number, the Class of shares you wish to purchase and
             the investment amount (which would include any applicable front-end
             sales charge). The letter must be signed by the account owner(s).

           - Make out a check for the total amount payable to: Morgan Stanley
             Dean Witter Japan Fund.

           - Mail the letter and check to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB
             at P.O. Box 1040, Jersey City, NJ 07303.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>
[ICON]  HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           PERMISSIBLE FUND EXCHANGES. You may exchange shares of any Class of
           the Fund for the same Class of any other continuously offered
           Multi-Class Fund, or for shares of a No-Load Fund, a Money Market
           Fund, North American Government Income Trust or Short-Term U.S.
           Treasury Trust, without the imposition of an exchange fee. See the
           inside back cover of this PROSPECTUS for each Morgan Stanley Dean
           Witter Fund's designation as a Multi-Class Fund, No-Load Fund or
           Money Market Fund. If a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund is not
           listed, consult the inside back cover of that Fund's PROSPECTUS for
           its designation. For purposes of exchanges, shares of FSC Funds
           (subject to a front-end sales charge) are treated as Class A shares
           of a Multi-Class Fund.

           Exchanges may be made after shares of the Fund acquired by purchase
           have been held for thirty days. There is no waiting period for
           exchanges of shares acquired by exchange or dividend reinvestment.
           The current PROSPECTUS for each fund describes its investment
           objective(s), policies and investment minimums, and should be read
           before investment. Since exchanges are available only into
           continuously offered Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds, exchanges are
           not available into any new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund during its
           initial offering period, or when shares of a particular Morgan
           Stanley Dean Witter Fund are not being offered for purchase.

           EXCHANGE PROCEDURES. You can process an exchange by contacting your
           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized
           financial representative. Otherwise, you must forward an exchange
           privilege authorization form to the Fund's transfer agent - Morgan
           Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB - and then write the transfer agent or
           call (800) 869-NEWS to place an exchange order. You can obtain an
           exchange privilege authorization form by contacting your Financial
           Advisor or other authorized financial representative or by calling
           (800) 869-NEWS. If you hold share certificates, no exchanges may be
           processed until we have received all applicable share certificates.

           An exchange to any Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund (except a Money
           Market Fund) is made on the basis of the next calculated net asset
           values of the Funds involved after the exchange instructions are
           accepted. When exchanging into a Money Market Fund, the Fund's shares
           are sold at their next calculated net asset value and the Money
           Market Fund's shares are purchased at their net asset value on the
           following business day.

           The Fund may terminate or revise the exchange privilege upon required
           notice. The check writing privilege is not available for Money Market
           Fund shares you acquire in an exchange.

           TELEPHONE EXCHANGES. For your protection when calling Morgan Stanley
           Dean Witter Trust FSB, we will employ reasonable procedures to
           confirm that exchange instructions communicated over the telephone
           are genuine. These procedures may include requiring various forms of
           personal identification such as name, mailing address, social
           security or other tax identification number. Telephone instructions
           also may be recorded.

 12
<PAGE>
           Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by the Fund's
           transfer agent between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, on any
           day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. During periods
           of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the
           telephone exchange procedures may be difficult to implement, although
           this has not been the case with the Fund in the past.

           MARGIN ACCOUNTS. If you have pledged your Fund shares in a margin
           account, contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or
           other authorized financial representative regarding restrictions on
           the exchange of such shares.

           TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF EXCHANGES. If you exchange shares of the Fund
           for shares of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund there are
           important tax considerations. For tax purposes, the exchange out of
           the Fund is considered a sale of Fund shares - and the exchange into
           the other Fund is considered a purchase. As a result, you may realize
           a capital gain or loss.

           You should review the "Tax Consequences" section and consult your own
           tax professional about the tax consequences of an exchange.

           FREQUENT EXCHANGES. A pattern of frequent exchanges may result in the
           Fund limiting or prohibiting, at its discretion, additional purchases
           and/or exchanges. The Fund will notify you in advance of limiting
           your exchange privileges.

           CDSC CALCULATIONS ON EXCHANGES. See the "Share Class Arrangements"
           section of this PROSPECTUS for a discussion of how applicable
           contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs) are calculated for shares
           of one Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund that are exchanged for shares
           of another.

           For further information regarding exchange privileges, you should
           contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call
           (800) 869-NEWS.

[ICON]  HOW TO SELL SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           You can sell some or all of your Fund shares at any time. If you sell
           Class A, Class B or Class C shares, your net sale proceeds are
           reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC. Your shares will be
           sold at the next price calculated after we receive your order to sell
           as described below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 OPTIONS            PROCEDURES
<S>                 <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contact your       To sell (redeem) your shares, simply call your Morgan
 Financial Advisor  Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized
                    financial representative.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
 [ICON]             Payment will be sent to the address to which the account is
                    registered or deposited in your brokerage account.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                                                              13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 OPTIONS            PROCEDURES
<S>                 <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 By Letter          You can also sell your shares by writing a "letter of
                    instruction" that includes:
 [ICON]
                    - your account number;
                    - the dollar amount or the number of shares you wish to
                      sell;
                    - the Class of shares you wish to sell; and
                    - the signature of each owner as it appears on the account.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    If you are requesting payment to anyone other than the
                    registered owner(s) or that payment be sent to any address
                    other than the address of the registered owner(s) or
                    pre-designated bank account, you will need a signature
                    guarantee. You can obtain a signature guarantee from an
                    eligible guarantor acceptable to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                    Trust FSB. (You should contact Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                    Trust FSB at (800) 869-NEWS for a determination as to
                    whether a particular institution is an eligible guarantor.)
                    A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
                    Additional documentation may be required for shares held by
                    a corporation, partnership, trustee or executor.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    Mail the letter to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB at
                    P.O. Box 983, Jersey City, NJ 07303. If you hold share
                    certificates, you must return the certificates, along with
                    the letter and any required additional documentation.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address in which
                    the account is registered, or otherwise according to your
                    instructions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Systematic         If your investment in all of the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
 Withdrawal Plan    Family of Funds has a total market value of at least
 [ICON]             $10,000, you may elect to withdraw amounts of $25 or more,
                    or in any whole percentage of a Fund's balance (provided the
                    amount is at least $25), on a monthly, quarterly,
                    semi-annual or annual basis, from any Fund with a balance of
                    at least $1,000. Each time you add a Fund to the plan, you
                    must meet the plan requirements.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    Amounts withdrawn are subject to any applicable CDSC. A CDSC
                    may be waived under certain circumstances. See the Class B
                    waiver categories listed in the "Share Class Arrangements"
                    section of this PROSPECTUS.
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    To sign up for the Systematic Withdrawal Plan, contact your
                    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or call (800)
                    869-NEWS. You may terminate or suspend your plan at any
                    time. Please remember that withdrawals from the plan are
                    sales of shares, not Fund "distributions," and ultimately
                    may exhaust your account balance. The Fund may terminate or
                    revise the plan at any time.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

           PAYMENT FOR SOLD SHARES. After we receive your complete instructions
           to sell as described above, a check will be mailed to you within
           seven days, although we will attempt to make payment within one
           business day. Payment may also be sent to your brokerage account.

           Payment may be postponed or the right to sell your shares suspended
           under unusual circumstances. If you request to sell shares that were
           recently purchased by check, payment of the sale proceeds may be
           delayed for the minimum time needed to verify that the check has been
           honored (not more than fifteen days from the time we receive the
           check).

           TAX CONSIDERATIONS. Normally, your sale of Fund shares is subject to
           federal and state income tax. You should review the "Tax
           Consequences" section of this PROSPECTUS and consult your own tax
           professional about the tax consequences of a sale.

 14
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
TARGETED DIVIDENDS-SM-
YOU MAY SELECT TO HAVE YOUR FUND DISTRIBUTIONS AUTOMATICALLY INVESTED IN OTHER
CLASSES OF FUND SHARES OR CLASSES OF ANOTHER MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUND
THAT YOU OWN. CONTACT YOUR MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FINANCIAL ADVISOR FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SERVICE.
[End Sidebar]

           REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. If you sell Fund shares and have not
           previously exercised the reinstatement privilege, you may, within 35
           days after the date of sale, invest any portion of the proceeds in
           the same Class of Fund shares at their net asset value and receive a
           pro rata credit for any CDSC paid in connection with the sale.

           INVOLUNTARY SALES. The Fund reserves the right, on sixty days'
           notice, to sell the shares of any shareholder (other than shares held
           in an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account) whose shares, due to sales by
           the shareholder, have a value below $100, or in the case of an
           account opened through EASYINVEST-SM-, if after 12 months the
           shareholder has invested less than $1,000 in the account.

           However, before the Fund sells your shares in this manner, we will
           notify you and allow you sixty days to make an additional investment
           in an amount that will increase the value of your account to at least
           the required amount before the sale is processed. No CDSC will be
           imposed on any involuntary sale.

           MARGIN ACCOUNTS. If you have pledged your Fund shares in a margin
           account, contact your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or
           other authorized financial representative regarding restrictions on
           the sale of such shares.

ICON  DISTRIBUTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The Fund passes substantially all of its earnings from income and
           capital gains along to its investors as "distributions." The Fund
           earns income from stocks and interest from fixed-income investments.
           These amounts are passed along to Fund shareholders as "income
           dividend distributions." The Fund realizes capital gains whenever it
           sells securities for a higher price than it paid for them. These
           amounts may be passed along as "capital gain distributions."

           The Fund declares income dividends separately for each Class.
           Distributions paid on Class A and Class D shares usually will be
           higher than for Class B and Class C because distribution fees that
           Class B and Class C pay are higher. Normally, income dividends are
           distributed to shareholders annually. Capital gains, if any, are
           usually distributed in December. The Fund may at times make payments
           from sources other than income or capital gains that represent a
           return of a portion of your investment.

           Distributions are reinvested automatically in additional shares of
           the same Class and automatically credited to your account, unless you
           request in writing that all distributions be paid in cash. If you
           elect the cash option, the Fund will mail a check to you no later
           than seven business days after the distribution is declared. No
           interest will

                                                                              15
<PAGE>
           accrue on uncashed checks. If you wish to change how your
           distributions are paid, your request should be received by the Fund's
           transfer agent, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB, at least five
           business days prior to the record date of the distributions.

ICON  TAX CONSEQUENCES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment
           will be taxed. The tax information in this PROSPECTUS is provided as
           general information. You should consult your own tax professional
           about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

           Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred
           retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, you need to be
           aware of the possible tax consequences when:

           - The Fund makes distributions; and

           - You sell Fund shares, including an exchange to another Morgan
             Stanley Dean Witter Fund.

           TAXES ON DISTRIBUTIONS. Your distributions are normally subject to
           federal and state income tax when they are paid, whether you take
           them in cash or reinvest them in Fund shares. A distribution also may
           be subject to local income tax. Any income dividend distributions and
           any short-term capital gain distributions are taxable to you as
           ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable
           as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares
           in the Fund.

           Every January, you will be sent a statement (IRS Form 1099-DIV)
           showing the taxable distributions paid to you in the previous year.
           The statement provides full information on your dividends and capital
           gains for tax purposes.

           TAXES ON SALES. Your sale of Fund shares normally is subject to
           federal and state income tax and may result in a taxable gain or loss
           to you. A sale also may be subject to local income tax. Your exchange
           of Fund shares for shares of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund
           is treated for tax purposes like a sale of your original shares and a
           purchase of your new shares. Thus, the exchange may, like a sale,
           result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will give you a new tax
           basis for your new shares.

           When you open your Fund account, you should provide your social
           security or tax identification number on your investment application.
           By providing this information, you will avoid being subject to a
           federal backup withholding tax of 31% on taxable distributions and
           redemption proceeds. Any withheld amount would be sent to the IRS as
           an advance tax payment.

 16
<PAGE>
ICON  SHARE CLASS ARRANGEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           The Fund offers several Classes of shares having different
           distribution arrangements designed to provide you with different
           purchase options according to your investment needs. Your Morgan
           Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other authorized financial
           representative can help you decide which Class may be appropriate for
           you.

           The general public is offered three Classes: Class A shares, Class B
           shares and Class C shares, which differ principally in terms of sales
           charges and ongoing expenses. A fourth Class, Class D shares, is
           offered only to a limited category of investors. Shares that you
           acquire through reinvested distributions will not be subject to any
           front-end sales charge or CDSC - contingent deferred sales charge.
           Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling each
           Class of shares. The sales charges applicable to each Class provide
           for the distribution financing of shares of that Class.

           The chart below compares the sales charge and maximum annual 12b-1
           fee applicable to each Class:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   MAXIMUM ANNUAL
CLASS   SALES CHARGE                                 12b-1 FEE
<S>     <C>                                       <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 A      Maximum 5.25% initial sales charge
        reduced for purchase of $25,000 or more;
        shares sold without an initial sales
        charge are generally subject to a 1.0%
        CDSC during the first year                          0.25%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 B      Maximum 5.0% CDSC during the first year
        decreasing to 0% after six years                    1.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 C      1.0% CDSC during the first year                     1.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
 D      None                                            None
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

         CLASS A SHARES  Class A shares are sold at net asset value plus an
         initial sales charge of up to 5.25%. The initial sales charge is
         reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more according to the schedule
         below. Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to an initial
         sales charge, but are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales
         charge, or CDSC, of 1.0% on sales made within one year after the last
         day of the month of purchase. The CDSC will be assessed in the same
         manner and with the same CDSC waivers as with Class B shares. Class A
         shares are also subject to a distribution (12b-1) fee of up to 0.25% of
         the average daily net assets of the Class.

                                                                              17
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
FRONT-END SALES CHARGE
OR FSC
AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE YOU PAY WHEN PURCHASING CLASS A SHARES THAT IS BASED ON
A PERCENTAGE OF THE OFFERING PRICE. THE PERCENTAGE DECLINES BASED UPON THE
DOLLAR VALUE OF CLASS A SHARES YOU PURCHASE. WE OFFER THREE WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR
CLASS A SALES CHARGES - THE COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE, RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION
AND LETTER OF INTENT.
[End Sidebar]
           The offering price of Class A shares includes a sales charge
           (expressed as a percentage of the offering price) on a single
           transaction as shown in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      FRONT-END SALES CHARGE
                                          ----------------------------------------------
 AMOUNT OF                                PERCENTAGE OF PUBLIC    APPROXIMATE PERCENTAGE
 SINGLE TRANSACTION                          OFFERING PRICE       OF NET AMOUNT INVESTED
<S>                                       <C>                     <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Less than $25,000                                 5.25%                    5.54%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $25,000 but less than $50,000                     4.75%                    4.99%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $50,000 but less than $100,000                    4.00%                    4.17%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $100,000 but less than $250,000                   3.00%                    3.09%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $250,000 but less than $1 million                 2.00%                    2.04%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 $1 million and over                                  0                        0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

           The reduced sales charge schedule is applicable to purchases of Class
           A shares in a single transaction by:

           - A single account (including an individual, trust or fiduciary
             account).

           - Family member accounts (limited to husband, wife and children under
             the age of 21).

           - Pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit plans of
             companies and their affiliates.

           - Tax-exempt organizations.

           - Groups organized for a purpose other than to buy mutual fund
             shares.

           COMBINED PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. You also will have the benefit of
           reduced sales charges by combining purchases of Class A shares of the
           Fund in a single transaction with purchases of Class A shares of
           other Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC Funds.

           RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. You also may benefit from a reduction of sales
           charges if the cumulative net asset value of Class A shares of the
           Fund purchased in a single transaction, together with shares of other
           Funds you currently own which were previously purchased at a price
           including a front-end sales charge (including shares acquired through
           reinvestment of distributions), amounts to $25,000 or more. Also, if
           you have a cumulative net asset value of all your Class A and Class D
           shares equal to at least $5 million (or $25 million for certain
           employee benefit plans), you are eligible to purchase Class D shares
           of any Fund subject to the Fund's minimum initial investment
           requirement.

           You must notify your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or
           other authorized financial representative (or Morgan Stanley Dean
           Witter Trust FSB if you purchase directly through the Fund), at the
           time a purchase order is placed, that the purchase

 18
<PAGE>
           qualifies for the reduced charge under the Right of Accumulation.
           Similar notification must be made in writing when an order is placed
           by mail. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (i)
           notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (ii) a
           review of the records of Dean Witter Reynolds or other authorized
           dealer of Fund shares or the Fund's transfer agent does not confirm
           your represented holdings.

           LETTER OF INTENT. The schedule of reduced sales charges for larger
           purchases also will be available to you if you enter into a written
           "letter of intent." A letter of intent provides for the purchase of
           Class A shares of the Fund or other Multi-Class Funds or shares of
           FSC Funds within a thirteen-month period. The initial purchase under
           a letter of intent must be at least 5% of the stated investment goal.
           To determine the applicable sales charge reduction, you may also
           include: (1) the cost of shares of other Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
           Funds which were previously purchased at a price including a
           front-end sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the
           distributor receiving the letter of intent, and (2) the cost of
           shares of other Funds you currently own acquired in exchange for
           shares of Funds purchased during that period at a price including a
           front-end sales charge. You can obtain a letter of intent by
           contacting your Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor or other
           authorized financial representative or by calling (800) 869-NEWS. If
           you do not achieve the stated investment goal within the
           thirteen-month period, you are required to pay the difference between
           the sales charges otherwise applicable and sales charges actually
           paid, which may be deducted from your investment.

           OTHER SALES CHARGE WAIVERS. In addition to investments of $1 million
           or more, your purchase of Class A shares is not subject to a
           front-end sales charge (or CDSC upon sale) if your account qualifies
           under one of the following categories:

           - A trust for which Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB provides
             discretionary trustee services.

           - Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to
             all of its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or
             transfer restrictions on termination) approved by the Fund's
             distributor pursuant to which they pay an asset-based fee for
             investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services.

           - Employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified
             under the Internal Revenue Code, for which Morgan Stanley Dean
             Witter Trust FSB serves as trustee or Dean Witter Reynolds'
             Retirement Plan Services serves as recordkeeper under a written
             Recordkeeping Services Agreement ("MSDW Eligible Plans") which have
             at least 200 eligible employees.

           - An MSDW Eligible Plan whose Class B shares have converted to Class
             A shares, regardless of the plan's asset size or number of eligible
             employees.

           - A client of a Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Financial Advisor who
             joined us from another investment firm within six months prior to
             the date of purchase of Fund

                                                                              19
<PAGE>
[Sidebar]
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE OR CDSC
A FEE YOU PAY WHEN YOU SELL SHARES OF CERTAIN MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER FUNDS
PURCHASED WITHOUT AN INITIAL SALES CHARGE. THIS FEE DECLINES THE LONGER YOU HOLD
YOUR SHARES AS SET FORTH IN THE TABLE.
[End Sidebar]

            shares, and you used the proceeds from the sale of shares of a
            proprietary mutual fund of that Financial Advisor's previous firm
            that imposed either a front-end or deferred sales charge to purchase
            Class A shares, provided that: (1) you sold the shares not more than
            60 days prior to the purchase of Fund shares, and (2) the sale
            proceeds were maintained in the interim in cash or a money market
            fund.

           - Current or retired Directors/Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Dean
             Witter Funds, such persons' spouses and children under the age of
             21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a
             beneficiary.

           - Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan
             Stanley Dean Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries, such
             persons' spouses and children under the age of 21, and trust
             accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary.

         CLASS B SHARES  Class B shares are offered at net asset value with no
         initial sales charge but are subject to a contingent deferred sales
         charge, or CDSC, as set forth in the table below. For the purpose of
         calculating the CDSC, shares are deemed to have been purchased on the
         last day of the month during which they were purchased.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           CDSC AS A PERCENTAGE
 YEAR SINCE PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE           OF AMOUNT REDEEMED
<S>                                       <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 First                                              5.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Second                                             4.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Third                                              3.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Fourth                                             2.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Fifth                                              2.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Sixth                                              1.0%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
 Seventh and thereafter                            None
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

           Each time you place an order to sell or exchange shares, shares with
           no CDSC will be sold or exchanged first, then shares with the lowest
           CDSC will be sold or exchanged next. For any shares subject to a
           CDSC, the CDSC will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of
           the current market value or the cost of the shares being sold.

           CDSC WAIVERS. A CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the
           case of:

           - Sales of shares held at the time you die or become disabled (within
             the definition in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code
             which relates to the ability to engage in gainful employment), if
             the shares are: (i) registered either in your name (not a trust) or
             in the names of you and your spouse as joint tenants with right of
             survivorship; or (ii) held in a qualified corporate or
             self-employed retirement plan, IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account,
             provided in either case that the sale is requested within one year
             of your death or initial determination of disability.

 20
<PAGE>
           - Sales in connection with the following retirement plan
             "distributions:" (i) lump-sum or other distributions from a
             qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan following
             retirement (or, in the case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy"
             plan, following attainment of age 59 1/2); (ii) distributions from
             an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account following attainment of age
             59 1/2; or (iii) a tax-free return of an excess IRA contribution (a
             "distribution" does not include a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b)
             Custodial Account or retirement plan assets to a successor
             custodian or trustee).

           - Sales of shares held for you as a participant in an MSDW Eligible
             Plan.

           - Sales of shares in connection with the Systematic Withdrawal Plan
             of up to 12% annually of the value of each Fund from which plan
             sales are made. The percentage is determined on the date you
             establish the Systematic Withdrawal Plan and based on the next
             calculated share price. You may have this CDSC waiver applied in
             amounts up to 1% per month, 3% per quarter, 6% semi-annually or 12%
             annually. Shares with no CDSC will be sold first, followed by those
             with the lowest CDSC. As such, the waiver benefit will be reduced
             by the amount of your shares that are not subject to a CDSC. If you
             suspend your participation in the plan, you may later resume plan
             payments without requiring a new determination of the account value
             for the 12% CDSC waiver.

           All waivers will be granted only following the Fund's distributor
           receiving confirmation of your entitlement. If you believe you are
           eligible for a CDSC waiver, please contact your Financial Advisor or
           call (800) 869-NEWS.

           DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class B shares are subject to an annual
           distribution (12b-1) fee of 1.0% of the lesser of: (a) the average
           daily aggregate gross purchases by all shareholders of the Fund's
           Class B Shares since the inception of the Fund (not including
           reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions), less the
           daily aggregate net asset value of the Fund's Class B shares sold by
           all shareholders since the Fund's inception upon which a CDSC has
           been imposed or waived, or (b) the average daily net assets of Class
           B.

           CONVERSION FEATURE. After ten (10) years, Class B shares will convert
           automatically to Class A shares of the Fund with no initial sales
           charge. The ten year period runs from the last day of the month in
           which the shares were purchased, or in the case of Class B shares
           acquired through an exchange, from the last day of the month in which
           the original Class B shares were purchased; the shares will convert
           to Class A shares based on their relative net asset values in the
           month following the ten year period. At the same time, an equal
           proportion of Class B shares acquired through automatically
           reinvested distributions will convert to Class A shares on the same
           basis. (Class B shares held before May 1, 1997, however, will convert
           to Class A shares in May 2007.)

           In the case of Class B shares held in an MSDW Eligible Plan, the plan
           is treated as a single investor and all Class B shares will convert
           to Class A shares on the conversion date of the Class B shares of a
           Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund purchased by that plan.

           Currently, the Class B share conversion is not a taxable event; the
           conversion feature may be cancelled if it is deemed a taxable event
           in the future by the Internal Revenue Service.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>
           If you exchange your Class B shares for shares of a Money Market
           Fund, a No-Load Fund, North American Government Income Trust or
           Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, the holding period for conversion is
           frozen as of the last day of the month of the exchange and resumes on
           the last day of the month you exchange back into Class B shares.

           EXCHANGING SHARES SUBJECT TO A CDSC. There are special considerations
           when you exchange Fund shares that are subject to a CDSC. When
           determining the length of time you held the shares and the
           corresponding CDSC rate, any period (starting at the end of the
           month) during which you held shares of a fund that does NOT charge a
           CDSC WILL NOT BE COUNTED. Thus, in effect the "holding period" for
           purposes of calculating the CDSC is frozen upon exchanging into a
           fund that does not charge a CDSC.

           For example, if you held Class B shares of the Fund for one year,
           exchanged to Class B of another Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
           Multi-Class Fund for another year, then sold your shares, a CDSC rate
           of 4% would be imposed on the shares based on a two year holding
           period -- one year for each Fund. However, if you had exchanged the
           shares of the Fund for a Money Market Fund (which does not charge a
           CDSC) instead of the Multi-Class Fund, then sold your shares, a CDSC
           rate of 5% would be imposed on the shares based on a one year holding
           period. The one year in the Money Market Fund would not be counted.
           Nevertheless, if shares subject to a CDSC are exchanged for a Fund
           that does not charge a CDSC, you will receive a credit when you sell
           the shares equal to the distribution (12b-1) fees, if any, you paid
           on those shares while in that Fund up to the amount of any applicable
           CDSC.

           In addition, shares that are exchanged into or from a Morgan Stanley
           Dean Witter Fund subject to a higher CDSC rate will be subject to the
           higher rate, even if the shares are re-exchanged into a Fund with a
           lower CDSC rate.

         CLASS C SHARES  Class C shares are sold at net asset value with no
         initial sales charge but are subject to a CDSC of 1.0% on sales made
         within one year after the last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC
         will be assessed in the same manner and with the same CDSC waivers as
         with Class B shares.

           DISTRIBUTION FEE. Class C shares are subject to an annual
           distribution (12b-1) fee of up to 1.0% of the average daily net
           assets of that Class. The Class C shares' distribution fee may cause
           that Class to have higher expenses and pay lower dividends than Class
           A or Class D shares. Unlike Class B shares, Class C shares have no
           conversion feature and, accordingly, an investor that purchases Class
           C shares may be subject to distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to
           Class C shares for an indefinite period.

         CLASS D SHARES  Class D shares are offered without any sales charge on
         purchases or sales and without any distribution (12b-1) fee. Class D
         shares are offered only to investors meeting an initial investment
         minimum of $5 million ($25 million for MSDW Eligible Plans) and the
         following categories of investors:

 22
<PAGE>
           - Investors participating in the Investment Manager's mutual fund
             asset allocation program (subject to all of its terms and
             conditions, including mandatory sale or transfer restrictions on
             termination) pursuant to which they pay an asset-based fee.

           - Persons participating in a fee-based investment program (subject to
             all of its terms and conditions, including mandatory sale or
             transfer restrictions on termination) approved by the Fund's
             distributor pursuant to which they pay an asset-based fee for
             investment advisory, administrative and/or brokerage services.

           - Employee benefit plans maintained by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter &
             Co. or any of its subsidiaries for the benefit of certain employees
             of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. and its subsidiaries.

           - Certain unit investment trusts sponsored by Dean Witter Reynolds.

           - Certain other open-end investment companies whose shares are
             distributed by the Fund's distributor.

           - Investors who were shareholders of the Dean Witter Retirement
             Series on September 11, 1998 for additional purchases for their
             former Dean Witter Retirement Series accounts.

           MEETING CLASS D ELIGIBILITY MINIMUMS. To meet the $5 million ($25
           million for certain MSDW Eligible Plans) initial investment to
           qualify to purchase Class D shares you may combine: (1) purchases in
           a single transaction of Class D shares of the Fund and other Morgan
           Stanley Dean Witter Multi-Class Funds and/or (2) previous purchases
           of Class A and Class D shares of Multi-Class Funds and shares of FSC
           Funds you currently own, along with shares of Morgan Stanley Dean
           Witter Funds you currently own that you acquired in exchange for
           those shares.

         NO SALES CHARGES FOR REINVESTED CASH DISTRIBUTIONS  If you receive a
         cash payment representing an income dividend or capital gain and you
         reinvest that amount in the applicable Class of shares by returning the
         check within 30 days of the payment date, the purchased shares would
         not be subject to an initial sales charge or CDSC.

         PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (RULE 12b-1 FEES)  The Fund has adopted a Plan of
         Distribution in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company
         Act of 1940 with respect to the distribution of Class A, Class B and
         Class C shares. The Plan allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for
         the sale and distribution of these shares. It also allows the Fund to
         pay for services to shareholders of Class A, Class B and Class C
         shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an
         ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your
         investment in these Classes and may cost you more than paying other
         types of sales charges.

                                                                              23
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's
financial performance for the past 4 fiscal years of the Fund throughout each
year. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share
throughout each year. The total returns in the table represent the rate an
investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, is
included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          FOR THE PERIOD APRIL
                                                                                                                26, 1996*
 FOR THE YEAR ENDED MAY 31                                        1999          1998          1997        THROUGH MAY 31, 1996
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS B SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, beginning of period                              $ 6.67       $  8.79        $ 9.61         $10.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
    Net investment loss                                             (0.13)        (0.13)        (0.16)            --
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)                          1.37         (1.99)        (0.66)         (0.39)
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------       --------
 Total income (loss) from investment operations                      1.24         (2.12)        (0.82)         (0.39)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LESS DIVIDENDS:
    From net investment income                                      (0.22)           --            --             --
    In excess of net investment income                              (0.11)           --            --             --
                                                                ---------     ---------     ---------       --------
 Total dividends                                                    (0.33)           --            --             --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, end of period                                    $ 7.58       $  6.67        $ 8.79         $ 9.61
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TOTAL RETURN+                                                      19.89%       (24.12)%       (8.53)%        (3.90)%(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Expenses                                                            2.59%(3)      2.48%         2.43%          2.84%(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment loss                                                (1.81)%(3)     (1.62)%      (1.77)%        (0.52)%(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets, end of period, in thousands                         $147,812      $125,008      $239,719       $273,544
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Portfolio turnover rate                                               78%            7%           25%            --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* Commencement of operations.
** Prior to July 28, 1997, the Fund issued one class of shares. All shares of
the Fund held prior to that date have been designated Class B shares.
++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net
asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.

 24
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE PERIOD JULY 28, 1997*
                                                     MAY 31, 1999          THROUGH MAY 31, 1998
<S>                                               <C>                  <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS A SHARES++
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, beginning of period                   $ 6.72                    $  9.16
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
    Net investment income (loss)                         (0.02)                      0.05
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)               1.31                      (2.49)
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total income (loss) from investment operations           1.29                      (2.44)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LESS DIVIDENDS:
    From net investment income                           (0.33)                        --
    In excess of net investment income                   (0.11)                        --
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total dividends                                         (0.44)                        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, end of period                         $ 7.57                    $  6.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TOTAL RETURN+                                           20.61%                    (26.64)%(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Expenses                                                 1.72%(3)                   1.83%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment income (loss)                            (0.94)%(3)                  0.75%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets, end of period, in thousands                $1,823                       $126
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Portfolio turnover rate                                    78%                         7%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* The date shares were first issued.
++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net
asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.

                                                                              25
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE PERIOD JULY 28, 1997*
                                                     MAY 31, 1999          THROUGH MAY 31, 1998
<S>                                               <C>                  <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS C SHARES++
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, beginning of period                   $ 6.68                    $  9.16
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
    Net investment loss                                  (0.12)                     (0.07)
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)               1.34                      (2.41)
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total income (loss) from investment operations           1.22                      (2.48)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LESS DIVIDENDS:
    From net investment income                           (0.30)                        --
    In excess of net investment income                   (0.11)                        --
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total dividends                                         (0.41)                        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, end of period                         $ 7.49                    $  6.68
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TOTAL RETURN+                                           19.86%                    (27.07)%(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Expenses                                                 2.58%(3)                   2.52%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment loss                                     (1.80)%(3)                 (1.21)%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets, end of period, in thousands                $5,423                     $1,738
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Portfolio turnover rate                                    78%                         7%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* The date shares were first issued.
++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
+ Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net
asset value as of the last business day of the period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.

 26
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED   FOR THE PERIOD JULY 28, 1997*
                                                     MAY 31, 1999          THROUGH MAY 31, 1998
<S>                                               <C>                  <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CLASS D SHARES++
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SELECTED PER SHARE DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, beginning of period                   $ 6.72                    $  9.16
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
    Net investment loss                                  (0.02)                     (0.01)
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)               1.37                      (2.43)
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total income (loss) from investment operations           1.35                      (2.44)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 LESS DIVIDENDS:
    From net investment income                           (0.34)                        --
    In excess of net investment income                   (0.11)                        --
                                                        ------                    -------
 Total dividends                                         (0.45)                        --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net asset value, end of period                         $ 7.62                    $  6.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TOTAL RETURN+                                           21.76%                    (26.64)%(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Expenses                                                 1.59%(3)                   1.60%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net investment loss                                     (0.81)%(3)                 (0.23)%(2)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets, end of period, in thousands                $1,051                       $628
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Portfolio turnover rate                                    78%                         7%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* The date shares were first issued.
++ The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares
outstanding during the period.
+ Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the
period.
(1) Not annualized.
(2) Annualized.
(3) Reflects overall Fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific
expenses.

                                                                              27
<PAGE>
NOTES

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 28
<PAGE>
NOTES

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                                                                              29
<PAGE>
MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
FAMILY OF FUNDS

                           The Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Family of Funds offers
                           investors a wide range of investment choices. Come on
                           in and meet the family!

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GROWTH FUNDS
- ---------------------------------

GROWTH FUNDS
Aggressive Equity Fund
American Opportunities Fund
Capital Growth Securities
Developing Growth Securities
Equity Fund
Growth Fund
Market Leader Trust
Mid-Cap Equity Trust
Small Cap Growth Fund
Special Value Fund
Value Fund

THEME FUNDS
Financial Services Trust
Health Sciences Trust
Information Fund
Natural Resource Development Securities
Precious Metals and Minerals Trust

GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL FUNDS
Competitive Edge Fund - "Best Ideas"
 Portfolio
European Growth Fund
Fund of Funds - International Portfolio
International Fund
International SmallCap Fund
Japan Fund
Latin American Growth Fund
Pacific Growth Fund

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 GROWTH AND INCOME FUNDS
- ---------------------------------
Balanced Growth Fund
Balanced Income Fund
Convertible Securities Trust
Dividend Growth Securities
Fund of Funds - Domestic Portfolio
Income Builder Fund
Mid-Cap Dividend Growth Securities
S&P 500 Index Fund
S&P 500 Select Fund
Strategist Fund
Total Market Index Fund
Total Return Trust
Value-Added Market Series/Equity Portfolio

THEME FUNDS
Global Utilities Fund
Real Estate Fund
Utilities Fund

GLOBAL FUNDS
Global Dividend Growth Securities

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 INCOME FUNDS
- ---------------------------------

GOVERNMENT INCOME FUNDS
Federal Securities Trust
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust
U.S. Government Securities Trust

DIVERSIFIED INCOME FUNDS
Diversified Income Trust

CORPORATE INCOME FUNDS
High Yield Securities
Intermediate Income Securities
Short-Term Bond Fund (NL)

GLOBAL INCOME FUNDS
North American Government Income Trust
World Wide Income Trust

TAX-FREE INCOME FUNDS
California Tax-Free Income Fund
Hawaii Municipal Trust (FSC)
Limited Term Municipal Trust (NL)
Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (FSC)
New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Securities Trust

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MONEY MARKET FUNDS
- ---------------------------------

TAXABLE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
Liquid Asset Fund (MM)
U.S. Government Money Market Trust (MM)

TAX-FREE MONEY MARKET FUNDS
California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (MM)
New York Municipal Money Market Trust (MM)
Tax-Free Daily Income Trust (MM)

There may be Funds created after this PROSPECTUS was published. Please consult
the inside back cover of a new Fund's prospectus for its designation, e.g.,
Multi-Class Fund or Money Market Fund.

Unless otherwise noted, each listed Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Fund, except for
North American Government Income Trust and Short-Term U.S. Treasury Trust, is a
Multi-Class Fund. A Multi-Class Fund is a mutual fund offering multiple Classes
of shares. The other types of funds are: NL - No-Load (Mutual) Fund; MM - Money
Market Fund; FSC - A mutual fund sold with a front-end sales charge and a
distribution (12b-1) fee.
<PAGE>
                                                    PROSPECTUS - AUGUST 30, 1999

Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's
ANNUAL AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS. In the Fund's ANNUAL REPORT, you
will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that
significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. The
Fund's STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION also provides additional information
about the Fund. The STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is incorporated herein
by reference (legally is part of this PROSPECTUS). For a free copy of any of
these documents, to request other information about the Fund, or to make
shareholder inquiries, please call:

                                 (800) 869-NEWS

You also may obtain information about the Fund by calling your Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Financial Advisor or by visiting our Internet site at:

                         www.msdw.com/individual/funds

Information about the Fund (including the STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
can be viewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Reference Room's
operations may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. Reports and
other information about the Fund are available on the SEC's Internet site
(www.sec.gov), and copies of this information may be obtained, upon payment of a
duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington,
DC 20549-6009.

 TICKER SYMBOLS:

  CLASS A:   JPNAX      CLASS C:   JPNCX
- --------------------  --------------------

  CLASS B:   JPNBX      CLASS D:   JPNDX
- --------------------  --------------------

(THE FUND'S INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. IS 811-7503)

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                                                                      JAPAN FUND

                               [BACK COVER PHOTO]

                                                              A MUTUAL FUND THAT
                                                                 SEEKS LONG-TERM
                                                            CAPITAL APPRECIATION


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