U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 24F-2
Annual Notice of Securities Sold
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2
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1. Name and address of issuer:
The Japan Fund, Inc.
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345 Park Avenue
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New York, New York 10154
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2. Name of each series or class of funds for which this notice is filed:
The Japan Fund, Inc.
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3. Investment Company Act File Number:
811-1090
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Securities Act File Number:
33-13863
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4. Last day of fiscal year for which this notice is filed:
12/31/96
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5. Check box if this notice is being filed more than 180 days after the close of the issuer's fiscal year for
purposes of reporting securities sold after the close of the fiscal year but before termination of the
issuer's 24f-2 declaration:
[ ]
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6. Date of termination of issuer's declaration under Rule 24f-2(a)(1), if applicable (see
Instruction A.6):
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7. Number and amount of securities of the same class or series which had been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933 other than pursuant to Rule 24f-2 in a prior fiscal year, but which remained unsold at the beginning
of the fiscal year:
Number: 0
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Amount: $0
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8. Number and amount of securities registered during the fiscal year other than pursuant to Rule 24f-2:
Number: 0
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Amount: $0
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9. Number and aggregate sale price of securities sold during the fiscal year:
Number: 20,114,876
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Aggregate Sale Price: $187,023,459
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10. Number and aggregate sale price of securities sold during the fiscal year in reliance upon registration
pursuant to Rule 24f-2:
Number: 20,114,876
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Aggregate Sale Price: $187,023,459
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11. Number and aggregate sale price of securities issued during the fiscal year in connection with dividend
reinvestment plans, if applicable (see Instruction B.7):
Number: 380,640
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Aggregate Sale Price: 3,312,548
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12. Calculation of registration fee:
(i) Aggregate sale price of securities sold during the
fiscal year in reliance on Rule 24f-2 (from Item 10): $187,023,459
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(ii) Aggregate price of shares issued in connection with
dividend reinvestment plans (from Item 11, if +$3,312,548
applicable):
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(iii) Aggregate price of shares redeemed or repurchased
during the fiscal year (if applicable): -$190,336,007
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(iv) Aggregate price of shares redeemed or repurchased and
previously applied as a reduction to filing fees
pursuant to Rule 24e-2 (if applicable): +$0
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(v) Net aggregate price of securities sold and issued
during the fiscal year in reliance on Rule 24f-2
(line (i), plus line (ii), less line (iii), plus
line (iv)) (if applicable): $0
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(vi) Multiplier prescribed by Section 6(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or other applicable law or
regulation (see Instruction C.6): x1/3300
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(vii) Fee due (line (i) or line (v) multiplied by line $0
(vi)):
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Instruction: Issuers should complete lines (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) only if the form is being filed within 60
days after the close of the issuer's fiscal year. See Instruction C.3.
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13. Check box if fees are being remitted to the Commission's lockbox depository as described in
section 3a of the Commission's Rules of Informal and Other Procedures (17 CFR 202.3a). [ ]
Date of mailing or wire transfer of filing fees to the Commission's lockbox
depository:
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SIGNATURES
This report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
issuer and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)*: /s/Thomas F. McDonough
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Thomas F. McDonough, Assistant Secretary
Date: 2/6/97
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*Please print the name and title of the signing officer below the signature.
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2
OBER/KALER
A Professional Corporation
Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver
Attorneys at Law
120 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1643
410-685-1120 FAX 410-547-0699
1401 H Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005-3324
202-408-8400 FAX 202-408-0640
February 12, 1997
The Japan Fund, Inc.
345 Park Place
New York, New York 10154
Gentlemen:
The Japan Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Maryland on August 10, 1961, having its principal executive
office in New York, New York.
We understand that, pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Fund registered an indefinite number of shares of its capital
stock, effective August 14, 1987. We further understand that, pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 24f-2, you are about to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a notice making definite the registration of 20,114,876 shares (the
"Shares") sold in reliance upon Rule 24f-2 during the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996.
We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to our satisfaction, of the Charter, the By-Laws, as amended, records of
corporate proceedings of the Fund, and such additional documents, and we have
obtained such other certificates, affidavits and advices from officers of the
Fund or from public officials, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for
the purposes of this opinion.
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OBER/KALER
A Professional Corporation
The Japan Fund, Inc.
February 12, 1997
Page 2
We are of the opinion that all of the Shares were legally and validly
issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. The opinion expressed in the
preceding sentence is based upon the assumptions that the Fund received
consideration for such Shares in accordance with the terms described in ARTICLE
FIFTH (8) of the Charter of the Fund and such consideration was paid in cash.
We express no opinion as to compliance with the Securities Act of 1933,
the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the securities laws of any state with
respect to the issuance of the Shares.
We consent to your filing this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission in connection with the Rule 24f-2 Notice which you are about to file
pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Sincerely,
/s/Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver
A Professional Corporation
GWW\TSS
