May 5, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
RE: The Japan Fund, Inc. (Reg. No. 33-13863) (811-1090) (the "Fund") Post
Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Rule 497(j) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Fund hereby certifies that the form of Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information that would have been filed on behalf of the Fund pursuant
to Rule 497(c) upon the effectiveness of Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the
Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the "Amendment") does not differ
from that contained in the Amendment, which is the most recent amendment to such
Registration Statement and was filed electronically on April 30, 1999.
Comments or questions concerning this certificate may be directed to
Greg Pottle at (617) 295-3033.
Very truly Yours,
The Japan Fund, Inc.
By: /s/ Maureen E. Kane
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Maureen E. Kane
Assistant Secretary
