Sincerely, | |||
/s/ Yutaka Itabashi | |||
Yutaka Itabashi | |||
President |
DISCLOSURES
|
Sources: Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc. and Bloomberg L.P. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
|
The NAV price is adjusted for reinvestment of income dividends, ordinary income distributions, and capital gain distributions. The New York Stock Exchange’s closing market price is adjusted for reinvestment of income dividends, ordinary income distributions, and capital gain distributions. The Fund’s performance does not reflect sales commissions.
|
This material contains the current opinions of the Fund’s manager, which are subject to change without notice. It should not be considered investment advice. Statements concerning financial market trends are based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate. There is no guarantee that these investment strategies will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long term.
|
Comparisons between changes in the Fund’s net asset value or market price per share and changes in the Fund’s benchmark should be considered in light of the Fund’s investment policy and objective, the characteristics and quality of the Fund’s investments, the size of the Fund, and variations in the Yen/U.S. dollar exchange rate. This report is for informational purposes only. Investment products offered are not FDIC insured, may lose value, and are not bank guaranteed.
|
Indices are unmanaged. You cannot invest directly into an index. The Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Index represents approximately 15% of the total market capitalization of the Russell/Nomura Total MarketTM Index. It measures the performance of the smallest Japanese equity securities in the Russell/Nomura Total MarketTM Index. Currently, there are 1,146 securities in the Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Index.
|
CHANGE IN AUDITORS
|
The Fund was advised on April 24, 2015 by Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), its independent public accounting firm, that E&Y is not independent under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rules and Regulations as it pertains to the Fund due to a transaction which occurred in the last quarter of 2014. E&Y subsequently resigned on May 4, 2015.
|
The resignation of E&Y was not the result of any disagreement with management. During the fiscal years ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, E&Y’s audit reports contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion; nor were the reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. Further, there were no disagreements between the Fund and E&Y on accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y, would have caused it to make reference to the disagreements in connection with their reports.
|
On April 29, 2015, the Audit Committee of the Fund and the Board of Directors of the Fund approved the selection of McGladrey LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Fund’s financial statements for its fiscal year ended February 28, 2015.
|
SHAREHOLDERS ACCOUNT INFORMATION
|
Shareholders whose accounts are held in their own name may contact the Fund’s registrar Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at (800) 426-5523 for information concerning their accounts.
|
PROXY VOTING
|
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-833-0018; and (2) on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) at http://www.sec.gov. Information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-833-0018; and (2) on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
|
Additional information about the Fund’s Board of Directors is available (1) without charge upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-833-0018; and (2) on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov in the Fund’s most recent proxy statement filing.
|
AVAILABILITY OF QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
|
The Fund files a schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
|
FUND CERTIFICATION
|
In December 2014, the Fund filed its Chief Executive Officer Certification with the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Listing Standards.
|
The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 were filed with the Fund’s Form N-CSR and are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
|
INTERNET WEBSITE
|
Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc. has established an Internet website which highlights it history, investment philosophy and process and products, which include the Fund. The Internet web address is www.nomura.com.
|
KEY STATISTICS
|
|
Net Assets
|
$311,094,211
|
Net Asset Value per Share
|
$10.98
|
Closing NYSE Market Price
|
$9.69
|
Percentage Change in Net Asset Value per Share*+
|
12.9%
|
Percentage Change in NYSE Market Price*+
|
11.2%
|
MARKET INDICES
|
|||
Percentage change in market indices:*
|
|||
YEN
|
U.S.$
|
||
Russell/Nomura Small CapTM Index
|
26.7%
|
8.0%
|
|
TOPIX
|
25.8%
|
7.2%
|
|
Nikkei Average
|
26.7%
|
7.9%
|
*
|
From March 1, 2014 through February 28, 2015.
|
+
|
Reflects the percentage change in share price adjusted for reinvestment of income dividends, ordinary income distributions, and long term capital gain distributions.
|
ASSET ALLOCATION
|
||||
Japanese Equities
|
||||
TSE First Section Stocks
|
84.3 | % | ||
TSE Second Section Stocks
|
10.9 | |||
Other Smaller Capitalization Stocks
|
3.4 | |||
Foreign Currency
|
1.2 | |||
Total Investments
|
99.8 | |||
Other Assets Less Liabilities, Net
|
0.2 | |||
Net Assets
|
100.0 | % |
INDUSTRY DIVERSIFICATION
|
|||
% of
Net Assets
|
% of
Net Assets
|
||
Retail Trade
|
12.0
|
Other Products
|
3.3
|
Wholesale Trade
|
10.2
|
Transportation Equipment
|
3.0
|
Chemicals
|
9.0
|
Financing Business
|
2.4
|
Banks
|
7.4
|
Textiles and Apparel
|
2.4
|
Electric Appliances
|
7.3
|
Utilities
|
2.3
|
Machinery
|
6.1
|
Real Estate
|
1.8
|
Metal Products
|
5.3
|
Services
|
1.6
|
Information and Communication
|
5.3
|
Food
|
1.5
|
Transportation and Warehousing
|
5.1
|
Glass and Ceramics Products
|
1.2
|
Iron and Steel
|
5.1
|
Pharmaceutical
|
1.0
|
Construction
|
4.3
|
Precision Instruments
|
1.0
|
TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS BY MARKET VALUE
|
||||||||
Security
|
Market
Value |
% of
Net Assets |
||||||
Toenec Corporation
|
$ | 8,407,965 | 2.7 | |||||
Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
|
7,156,193 | 2.3 | ||||||
Nichicon Corporation
|
6,542,427 | 2.1 | ||||||
Siix Corporation
|
6,428,501 | 2.1 | ||||||
The Yamanashi Chuo Bank, Ltd.
|
6,137,433 | 2.0 | ||||||
Ryoden Trading Company, Ltd.
|
6,052,599 | 1.9 | ||||||
The Kagoshima Bank, Ltd
|
5,557,813 | 1.8 | ||||||
Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.
|
5,415,226 | 1.7 | ||||||
The Okinawa Electric Power Company, Incorporated
|
5,409,944 | 1.7 | ||||||
Create S D Co., Ltd
|
5,320,914 | 1.7 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
|
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc.
|
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (the Fund), as of February 28, 2015, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the year then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit. The statement of changes in net assets of the Fund for the year ended February 28, 2014, and the financial highlights for the years ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, February 29, 2012, and February 28, 2011 were audited by other auditors. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights in their report dated April 24, 2014.
|
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of February 28, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate audit procedures, where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
|
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. at February 28, 2015, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
|
McGladrey LLP
|
Boston, Massachusetts
May 14, 2015
|
JAPANESE EQUITY SECURITIES
|
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of
Net Assets
|
||||||||||||
Banks
|
||||||||||||||||
Akita Bank, Ltd.
|
1,418,000 | $ | 3,839,685 | $ | 4,522,445 | 1.5 | ||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Taiko Bank, Ltd.
|
682,000 | 1,399,328 | 1,400,726 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Daishi Bank, Ltd.
|
682,000 | 2,313,045 | 2,545,222 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Higo Bank, Ltd.
|
287,000 | 1,667,050 | 1,768,366 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Hyakugo Bank, Ltd.
|
226,000 | 955,293 | 1,100,046 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Kagoshima Bank, Ltd.
|
803,000 | 5,427,641 | 5,557,813 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
The Yamanashi Chuo Bank, Ltd.
|
1,339,000 | 5,868,349 | 6,137,433 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||
General banking services
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Banks
|
21,470,391 | 23,032,051 | 7.4 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Chemicals
|
||||||||||||||||
C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd.
|
48,300 | $ | 2,058,234 | $ | 2,419,536 | 0.8 | ||||||||||
Plating chemicals
|
||||||||||||||||
Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.
|
649,900 | 3,013,478 | 3,016,860 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Specialty coating materials and fine chemicals
|
||||||||||||||||
JSR Corporation
|
132,800 | 2,626,512 | 2,427,044 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Elastomer and resin products
|
||||||||||||||||
Koatsu Gas Kogyo Co., Ltd.
|
292,000 | 1,662,243 | 1,506,625 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
High-pressured gases and chemicals
|
||||||||||||||||
Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd
|
2,181,000 | 6,708,723 | 7,156,193 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
Titanium oxide, polyvinyl chloride stabilizers, and pharmaceuticals
|
||||||||||||||||
Sekisui Jushi Corporation
|
185,000 | 2,471,175 | 2,508,370 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Processor of plastics and other resin materials
|
||||||||||||||||
Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.
|
236,300 | 2,906,860 | 2,416,761 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Adhesives, macromolecules, and medicines
|
||||||||||||||||
Shikoku Chemicals Corporation
|
27,000 | 186,738 | 225,423 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Chemical products and housing materials
|
||||||||||||||||
Tenma Corporation
|
232,100 | 2,979,147 | 3,503,542 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Plastic molding company
|
||||||||||||||||
Teraoka Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
|
311,300 | 1,294,311 | 1,502,245 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures, processes, and sells various adhesive tapes
|
||||||||||||||||
Zeon Corporation
|
115,000 | 1,043,583 | 1,078,230 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Elastomers and specialty materials
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Chemicals
|
26,951,004 | 27,760,829 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||
Construction
|
||||||||||||||||
Daiichi Kensetsu Corporation
|
15,200 | 163,226 | 170,051 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Civil engineering
|
||||||||||||||||
Kandenko Co., Ltd.
|
75,000 | 369,084 | 432,686 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Constructs electrical and power facilities
|
||||||||||||||||
Mirai Industry Co., Ltd.
|
33,700 | 469,990 | 506,450 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Engaged in electric & pipe materials
|
||||||||||||||||
MIRAIT Holdings Corporation
|
148,800 | 1,305,526 | 1,554,154 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Telecommunication engineering
|
||||||||||||||||
NDS Co., Ltd.
|
151,000 | 425,758 | 380,731 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
General contractor
|
||||||||||||||||
Taihei Dengyo Kaisha, Ltd.
|
216,000 | 1,672,862 | 1,529,267 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Thermal and nuclear plant engineering
|
||||||||||||||||
Toenec Corporation
|
1,704,000 | 9,494,342 | 8,407,965 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||
Constructs comprehensive building facilities
|
||||||||||||||||
Yondenko Corporation
|
106,000 | 374,344 | 422,142 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Electrical engineering
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Construction
|
14,275,132 | 13,403,446 | 4.3 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Electric Appliances
|
||||||||||||||||
Espec Corp
|
336,500 | $ | 2,570,607 | $ | 3,402,224 | 1.1 | ||||||||||
Meteorological testing devices
|
||||||||||||||||
Fujitso General Ltd.
|
74,000 | 723,756 | 821,707 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Air-conditioning units, refrigerators, and information-communication equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
|
149,900 | 2,670,100 | 2,576,866 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Media devices
|
||||||||||||||||
Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd.
|
339,300 | 3,568,881 | 3,441,866 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Industrial fasteners and electromagnetic wave resistant parts
|
||||||||||||||||
Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
|
70,100 | 1,336,772 | 2,241,561 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Lighting equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Nichicon Corporation
|
717,600 | 5,723,246 | 6,542,427 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||
Manufacture and sale of capacitors and transformers
|
||||||||||||||||
Nihon Kohden Corporation
|
30,300 | 1,195,912 | 1,555,792 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Medical equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Zojirushi Corporation
|
337,000 | 1,231,506 | 2,264,955 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Household appliances
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Electric Appliances
|
19,020,780 | 22,847,398 | 7.3 | |||||||||||||
Financing Business
|
||||||||||||||||
Hitachi Capital Corporation
|
147,900 | 3,165,217 | 3,033,940 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Financial services
|
||||||||||||||||
Ricoh Leasing Company, Ltd.
|
145,400 | 3,830,202 | 4,242,730 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Office automation equipment leasing
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Financing Business
|
6,995,419 | 7,276,670 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||
Food
|
||||||||||||||||
Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.
|
302,900 | 5,128,464 | 4,203,046 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Palm oil and coconut oil
|
||||||||||||||||
Kameda Seika Co., Ltd.
|
700 | 21,603 | 27,001 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||
Rice cookies, snacks, and Japanese cakes
|
||||||||||||||||
Taiyo Kagaku Co., Ltd.
|
44,700 | 322,173 | 305,651 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Food additives
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Food
|
5,472,240 | 4,535,698 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
Glass and Ceramics Products
|
||||||||||||||||
Nichiha Corporation
|
342,200 | 3,543,215 | 3,776,985 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Ceramic exterior walls and other construction materials
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Glass and Ceramics Products
|
3,543,215 | 3,776,985 | 1.2 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Information and Communication
|
||||||||||||||||
Broadleaf Co., Ltd.
|
162,100 | $ | 2,596,766 | $ | 2,620,126 | 0.8 | ||||||||||
Business software development, sales, and technical support
|
||||||||||||||||
NS Solutions Corporation
|
83,300 | 1,647,136 | 2,329,827 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
System consulting services and software development
|
||||||||||||||||
OBIC Co., Ltd.
|
64,500 | 1,754,124 | 2,393,676 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Computer system integration
|
||||||||||||||||
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company
|
134,900 | 3,431,939 | 3,896,923 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Cellular and car phone services
|
||||||||||||||||
Otsuka Corporation
|
93,300 | 3,012,944 | 3,692,273 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Computer information system developer
|
||||||||||||||||
Poletowin Pitcrew Holdings
|
204,000 | 1,429,362 | 1,469,856 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Provides software and hardware debug for video games
|
||||||||||||||||
Software Service Inc.
|
3,300 | 118,388 | 112,135 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||
Medical information software
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Information and Communication
|
13,990,659 | 16,514,816 | 5.3 | |||||||||||||
Iron and Steel
|
||||||||||||||||
Chubu Steel Plate Co., Ltd.
|
623,000 | 2,585,242 | 2,782,759 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures electric furnace steel plates
|
||||||||||||||||
Mory Industries Inc.
|
909,000 | 3,361,957 | 3,233,012 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Stainless pipes
|
||||||||||||||||
Nichia Steel Works, Ltd.
|
1,655,000 | 5,264,035 | 4,725,611 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||
Produces and sells steel products
|
||||||||||||||||
Osaka Steel Co., Ltd.
|
302,100 | 5,478,922 | 5,415,226 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
Electric furnace steelmaker
|
||||||||||||||||
Tohoku Steel Co., Ltd
|
300 | 3,562 | 3,697 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures and sells specialty steel
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Iron and Steel
|
16,693,718 | 16,160,305 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||
Machinery
|
||||||||||||||||
Hisaka Works, Ltd.
|
529,000 | 5,018,512 | 4,390,115 | 1.4 | ||||||||||||
Heat exchangers and evaporators
|
||||||||||||||||
Miura Co. Ltd.
|
31,800 | 327,940 | 370,369 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures and sells boilers and related products
|
||||||||||||||||
Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
|
249,300 | 1,932,358 | 1,946,111 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Industrial-type mechanical seals
|
||||||||||||||||
Nissei Corporation
|
22,800 | 203,511 | 199,875 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures transmission gears and precision equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Nitto Kohki Co. Ltd.
|
86,600 | 1,622,062 | 1,571,851 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Fluid couplings, machine tools, linear pumps, and building hardware
|
||||||||||||||||
Oiles Corporation
|
174,480 | 3,251,080 | 3,053,309 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures oilless bearings
|
||||||||||||||||
Sato Corporation
|
126,000 | 1,973,888 | 2,765,636 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Automation recognition systems
|
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Sintokogio, Ltd.
|
588,900 | $ | 4,464,134 | $ | 4,213,628 | 1.4 | ||||||||||
Engineering equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Yamashin-Filter Corporation
|
7,300 | 227,266 | 176,687 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures and sells filters
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Machinery
|
19,020,751 | 18,687,581 | 6.1 | |||||||||||||
Metal Products
|
||||||||||||||||
Dainichi Co., Ltd.
|
201,900 | 1,607,309 | 1,335,043 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Oil heating equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Mimasu Semiconductor Industry Co., Ltd.
|
71,000 | 569,934 | 837,595 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Silicon and gallium
|
||||||||||||||||
Neturen Co., Ltd.
|
507,500 | 3,393,927 | 3,686,287 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Induction hardening equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
|
326,900 | 3,122,915 | 3,392,500 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Automobile-related products
|
||||||||||||||||
Piolax, Inc.
|
84,500 | 2,599,787 | 3,746,149 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Production and sale of automobile parts
|
||||||||||||||||
Rinnai Corporation
|
49,200 | 3,194,355 | 3,458,685 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures and sells gas appliances
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Metal Products
|
14,488,227 | 16,456,259 | 5.3 | |||||||||||||
Other Products
|
||||||||||||||||
Fuji Seal International, Inc.
|
109,200 | 3,232,971 | 3,273,037 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Packaging-related materials and machinery
|
||||||||||||||||
Nishikawa Rubber Company Ltd.
|
245,500 | 4,091,524 | 3,670,971 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Rubber products
|
||||||||||||||||
The Pack Corporation
|
71,800 | 1,278,956 | 1,474,066 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Paper products and plastic bags
|
||||||||||||||||
Pigeon Corporation
|
22,900 | 981,709 | 1,586,892 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Baby care goods
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Other Products
|
9,585,160 | 10,004,966 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||
Pharmaceutical
|
||||||||||||||||
KYORIN Holdings, Inc.
|
136,300 | 2,916,146 | 3,046,338 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Pharmaceuticals manufacturer
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Pharmaceutical
|
2,916,146 | 3,046,338 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
Precision Instruments
|
||||||||||||||||
Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.
|
28,200 | 452,365 | 1,688,115 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Medical tools
|
||||||||||||||||
Nakanishi Inc.
|
36,700 | 1,142,324 | 1,409,476 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Manufactures gyration equipment for dental and industry use
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Precision Instruments
|
1,594,689 | 3,097,591 | 1.0 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Real Estate
|
||||||||||||||||
Keihanshin Building Co., Ltd.
|
822,700 | $ | 4,597,649 | $ | 5,096,584 | 1.6 | ||||||||||
Real estate leasing and building management
|
||||||||||||||||
Sanyo Housing Nagoya Co., Ltd.
|
59,700 | 644,754 | 619,056 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Interior and exterior housing designs
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Real Estate
|
5,242,403 | 5,715,640 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||
Retail Trade
|
||||||||||||||||
ABC-Mart, Inc.
|
35,700 | 1,474,719 | 2,002,956 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Shoes
|
||||||||||||||||
AIN Pharmaciez Inc.
|
2,300 | 53,844 | 89,388 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||
Pharmacies
|
||||||||||||||||
Amiyaki Tei Co., Ltd.
|
51,200 | 1,594,461 | 1,739,795 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Barbecue restaurants
|
||||||||||||||||
Arc Land Sakamoto Co., Ltd.
|
165,700 | 2,817,229 | 3,379,713 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Operates home centers
|
||||||||||||||||
Asahi Co., Ltd.
|
39,800 | 493,715 | 382,798 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Bicycles, parts and accessories
|
||||||||||||||||
Create S D Co., Ltd.
|
154,500 | 5,357,706 | 5,320,914 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
Drug store chain
|
||||||||||||||||
Daikokutenbussan Co., Ltd.
|
78,000 | 2,168,930 | 2,666,750 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Operates discount stores for food products and sundry goods
|
||||||||||||||||
Heiwado Co., Ltd.
|
35,100 | 433,312 | 763,687 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Supermarkets
|
||||||||||||||||
Hiday Hidaka Corp.
|
62,736 | 1,012,189 | 1,597,535 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Chinese restaurant chain
|
||||||||||||||||
Jin Co., Ltd.
|
113,900 | 3,364,733 | 3,442,438 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Eyeglasses and fashion merchandise
|
||||||||||||||||
Shimamura Co., Ltd.
|
31,900 | 3,660,484 | 3,086,796 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||
Clothing chain
|
||||||||||||||||
Saint Marc Holdings Co., Ltd.
|
32,400 | 1,306,933 | 2,109,956 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Restaurants and cafes
|
||||||||||||||||
San-A Co., Ltd.
|
42,500 | 1,120,920 | 1,481,424 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Housing related goods and groceries
|
||||||||||||||||
Seria Co. Ltd.
|
81,900 | 2,430,243 | 2,625,723 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Operates chain stores and franchise businesses
|
||||||||||||||||
Start Today Co., Ltd.
|
77,800 | 1,628,964 | 1,891,493 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Operates internet shopping websites
|
||||||||||||||||
Sundrug Co., Ltd.
|
31,600 | 1,274,966 | 1,551,309 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Drug store chain
|
||||||||||||||||
United Arrows Ltd.
|
112,200 | 3,824,421 | 3,461,315 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Operates fashion stores
|
||||||||||||||||
Yamazawa Co., Ltd.
|
9,600 | 150,326 | 138,420 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||
Supermarket chain
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Retail Trade
|
34,168,095 | 37,732,410 | 12.0 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Services
|
||||||||||||||||
EPS Co., Ltd.
|
87,700 | $ | 1,009,471 | $ | 1,097,577 | 0.4 | ||||||||||
Clinical testing
|
||||||||||||||||
JP-Holdings, Inc.
|
156,000 | 915,490 | 480,601 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Child-care center services
|
||||||||||||||||
Nihon M&A Center Inc.
|
47,900 | 532,053 | 1,575,671 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Provides merger and acquisition brokerage services
|
||||||||||||||||
Septeni Holdings Co., Ltd.
|
68,300 | 618,265 | 575,368 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
Holding company that manages operations for its subsidiaries
|
||||||||||||||||
Step Co., Ltd.
|
194,200 | 1,668,773 | 1,387,896 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Operates preparatory schools
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Services
|
4,744,052 | 5,117,113 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||
Textiles and Apparel
|
||||||||||||||||
Hogy Medical Co., Ltd.
|
73,500 | 3,508,887 | 3,761,678 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||
Medical supply products
|
||||||||||||||||
Komatsu Seiren Co., Ltd.
|
560,400 | 2,886,908 | 2,718,367 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Synthetic fibers, textile products, and composite thin-membrane
|
||||||||||||||||
Seiren Co., Ltd.
|
121,800 | 988,604 | 1,077,921 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Dyeing processor of filament fibers
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Textiles and Apparel
|
7,384,399 | 7,557,966 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||
Transportation and Warehousing
|
||||||||||||||||
Alps Logistics Co., Ltd.
|
232,800 | 2,433,133 | 2,721,102 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Delivery, storage, and forwarding of electronic components
|
||||||||||||||||
Japan Transcity Corporation
|
1,543,000 | 5,269,507 | 5,075,700 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||
Warehousing and transportation services
|
||||||||||||||||
Meiko Trans Co., Ltd.
|
408,000 | 4,229,214 | 3,508,579 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Operates port-harbor transport facilities
|
||||||||||||||||
Nissin Corporation
|
453,000 | 1,311,015 | 1,214,051 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Transportation services
|
||||||||||||||||
Trancom Co., Ltd.
|
81,300 | 2,507,010 | 3,414,227 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Logistics services
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Transportation and Warehousing
|
15,749,879 | 15,933,659 | 5.1 | |||||||||||||
Transportation Equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
Hi-Lex Corporation
|
38,200 | 807,188 | 1,219,912 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Control cables
|
||||||||||||||||
Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
|
211,600 | 3,768,808 | 3,353,094 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Brake systems
|
||||||||||||||||
Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd.
|
327,800 | 2,357,205 | 2,162,071 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
Tubes, wires and electrical products
|
||||||||||||||||
Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
|
175,700 | 2,750,122 | 2,430,682 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||
Child transformation seats, seat components, and rotating units
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Transportation Equipment
|
9,683,323 | 9,165,759 | 3.0 |
Shares
|
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Utilities
|
||||||||||||||||
Keiyo Gas Co., Ltd.
|
378,000 | $ | 1,936,189 | $ | 1,767,314 | 0.6 | ||||||||||
Produces and sells gas and energy products
|
||||||||||||||||
The Okinawa Electric Power Company, Incorporated
|
159,600 | 5,516,477 | 5,409,944 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
Thermal power
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Utilities
|
7,452,666 | 7,177,258 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||
Wholesale Trade
|
||||||||||||||||
Kanaden Corporation
|
187,000 | 1,228,953 | 1,348,929 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||
Components and devices
|
||||||||||||||||
Kohsoku Corporation
|
120,700 | 1,055,572 | 895,866 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
Sale of light food packaging materials
|
||||||||||||||||
Matsuda Sangyo Co., Ltd.
|
388,600 | 4,818,845 | 4,950,980 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||
Wholesales precious metals, electronic materials, and food
|
||||||||||||||||
Paltac Corporation
|
134,700 | 1,683,332 | 1,879,221 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||
Daily necessities
|
||||||||||||||||
Senshu Electric Co., Ltd.
|
106,900 | 1,255,185 | 1,535,112 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
Electric wire and cables
|
||||||||||||||||
Shinko Shoji Co., Ltd.
|
283,100 | 2,508,584 | 2,772,501 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Integrated circuits and semiconductor devices
|
||||||||||||||||
SIIX Corporation
|
262,700 | 3,433,239 | 6,428,501 | 2.1 | ||||||||||||
Video, audio, and office equipment
|
||||||||||||||||
SPK Corporation
|
18,600 | 333,651 | 333,876 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||
Import, export, and wholesale of automobile parts
|
||||||||||||||||
Ryoden Trading Company, Ltd.
|
895,000 | 6,117,402 | 6,052,599 | 1.9 | ||||||||||||
Electronic components
|
||||||||||||||||
Sugimoto & Co., Ltd.
|
262,300 | 2,335,216 | 2,851,301 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Tools and measuring instruments
|
||||||||||||||||
Techno Associe Co., Ltd.
|
297,700 | 2,778,591 | 2,706,703 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||
Produces and distributes screws
|
||||||||||||||||
Total Wholesale Trade
|
27,548,570 | 31,755,589 | 10.2 | |||||||||||||
TOTAL JAPANESE EQUITY SECURITIES
|
$ | 287,990,918 | $ | 306,756,327 | 98.6 |
Cost
|
Market Value
|
% of Net Assets
|
||||||||||
INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
|
||||||||||||
Japanese Yen
|
||||||||||||
Non-interest bearing account
|
$ | 3,653,816 | $ | 3,625,474 | 1.2 | |||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
|
3,653,816 | 3,625,474 | 1.2 | |||||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
|
$ | 291,644,734 | $ | 310,381,801 | 99.8 | |||||||
OTHER ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES, NET
|
712,410 | 0.2 | ||||||||||
NET ASSETS
|
$ | 311,094,211 | 100.0 |
ASSETS:
|
||||
Investments in securities, at market value (cost–$287,990,918)
|
$ | 306,756,327 | ||
Investment in foreign currency, at market value (cost–$3,653,816)
|
3,625,474 | |||
Receivable for investments sold
|
559,474 | |||
Receivable for dividends and interest, net of withholding taxes
|
501,539 | |||
Prepaid expenses
|
33,630 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
211,348 | |||
Total Assets
|
311,687,792 | |||
LIABILITIES:
|
||||
Payable for investments purchased
|
236,910 | |||
Accrued management fee
|
207,722 | |||
Accrued directors’ fees and expenses
|
6,999 | |||
Other accrued expenses
|
141,950 | |||
Total Liabilities
|
593,581 | |||
NET ASSETS:
|
||||
Capital stock (28,333,893 shares of capital stock outstanding, authorized 100,000,000, par value $0.10 each)
|
2,833,389 | |||
Paid-in capital
|
286,055,217 | |||
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
4,874,604 | |||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
18,701,692 | |||
Accumulated net investment loss
|
(1,370,691 | ) | ||
Net Assets
|
$ | 311,094,211 | ||
Net asset value per share
|
$ | 10.98 |
INCOME:
|
||||||||
Dividend income (net of $587,266 withholding taxes)
|
$ | 5,118,870 | ||||||
Interest income
|
286 | |||||||
Total Income
|
$ | 5,119,156 | ||||||
EXPENSES
|
||||||||
Management fee
|
2,637,153 | |||||||
Custodian fee
|
230,463 | |||||||
Legal fees
|
169,786 | |||||||
Directors’ fees and expenses
|
99,110 | |||||||
Other expenses
|
174,187 | |||||||
Total Expenses
|
3,310,699 | |||||||
INVESTMENT INCOME – NET
|
1,808,457 | |||||||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY:
|
||||||||
Realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions:
|
||||||||
Net realized gain on investments
|
21,842,432 | |||||||
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions
|
(645,636 | ) | ||||||
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
21,196,796 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
|
43,514,407 | |||||||
Net change in unrealized depreciation on foreign currency transactions and translation
|
(30,665,188 | ) | ||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency transactions and translation
|
34,046,015 | |||||||
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
$ | 35,854,472 |
For the Year Ended February 28,
|
||||||||
2015
|
2014
|
|||||||
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Net investment income
|
$ | 1,808,457 | $ | 1,452,099 | ||||
Net realized gain on investments
|
21,842,432 | 31,791,420 | ||||||
Net realized loss on foreign currency transactions
|
(645,636 | ) | (532,929 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
|
43,514,407 | (11,315,106 | ) | |||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and translation
|
(30,665,188 | ) | 12,963,680 | |||||
Increase in net assets derived from investment activities
|
35,854,472 | 34,359,164 | ||||||
FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
|
||||||||
Ordinary income distribution
|
(3,383,067 | ) | (5,638,445 | ) | ||||
Capital gain distribution
|
(371,174 | ) | – | |||||
Decrease in net assets derived from distributions to shareholders
|
(3,754,241 | ) | (5,638,445 | ) | ||||
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS:
|
32,100,231 | 33,820,719 | ||||||
NET ASSETS:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year
|
278,993,980 | 250,273,261 | ||||||
End of year (including accumulated/undistributed net investment loss of $1,370,691 and $2,927,249 respectively)
|
$ | 311,094,211 | $ | 278,993,980 |
Undistributed ordinary income
|
$ | 2,122,957 | ||
Undistributed long term capital gains
|
4,939,911 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions
|
$ | 15,142,911 | (a) | |
Total accumulated earnings
|
$ | 22,205,779 |
(a)
|
The differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the tax treatment of passive foreign investment companies.
|
February-15
|
February-14
|
|||||||
Ordinary Income
|
$ | 3,383,067 | $ | 5,638,445 | ||||
Capital Gains
|
$ | 371,174 | $ | 0 |
·
|
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
|
·
|
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
|
·
|
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
|
Level
|
Investments in Securities
|
|||
Level 1
|
||||
Equity Securities*
|
$ | 306,756,327 | ||
Foreign Currency
|
3,625,474 | |||
Level 2
|
–0– | |||
Level 3
|
–0– | |||
Total
|
$ | 310,381,801 |
*
|
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for a breakdown of the valuation by industry type.
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||
February 28,
|
February 29,
|
February 28,
|
||||||||||||||||||
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ | 9.85 | $ | 8.83 | $ | 8.85 | $ | 9.80 | $ | 8.44 | ||||||||||
Net investment income@
|
0.06 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
1.20 | 1.17 | (0.01 | ) | (0.50 | ) | 1.41 | |||||||||||||
Total from investment operations
|
1.26 | 1.22 | 0.06 | (0.44 | ) | 1.44 | ||||||||||||||
Distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from ordinary income
|
(0.12 | ) | (0.20 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||
Distributions from capital gains
|
(0.01 | ) | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
Total Distributions
|
(0.13 | ) | (0.20 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||
Fund Share Transactions
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of Rights Offering*
|
– | – | – | (0.47 | ) | – | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ | 10.98 | $ | 9.85 | $ | 8.83 | $ | 8.85 | $ | 9.80 | ||||||||||
Market value, end of year
|
$ | 9.69 | $ | 8.84 | $ | 8.00 | $ | 7.83 | $ | 9.58 | ||||||||||
Total investment return†
|
11.2 | % | 13.0 | % | 3.4 | % | (17.9 | %) | 18.9 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio to average net assets/supplemental data:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of year (in 000)
|
$ | 311,094 | $ | 278,994 | $ | 250,273 | $ | 250,732 | $ | 208,211 | ||||||||||
Operating expenses
|
1.13 | % | 1.19 | % | 1.19 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.44 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income
|
0.62 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.86 | % | 0.67 | % | 0.38 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover
|
41 | % | 101 | % | 37 | % | 66 | % | 57 | % |
@
|
Based on average shares outstanding.
|
*
|
Decrease is due to the rights offering.
|
†
|
Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of income dividends, ordinary income distributions, and long term capital gain distributions, and capital share transactions. Total return does not reflect sales commissions.
|
Shares Voted
For |
% of
Outstanding Shares |
Shares Voted
Withhold Authority |
% of
Outstanding Shares |
Shares
Abstained |
Broker
Non-Voting |
|||||||||||||||||||
Yutaka Itabashi
|
22,082,142 | 77.94% | 1,655,159 | 5.84% | – | – |
Name and Age
|
Position(s)
Held with the Fund |
Term of
Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number of
Funds in the Fund Complex* Overseen |
Other
Public Directorships Held by Director |
|||||
Rodney A. Buck (67)
|
Class III Director and Chairman of the Board
|
Director and since 2006; Chairman of the Board since 2010
|
Owner, Buck Capital Management (private investment management firm) since 2005; Chairman of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health Care Investment Committee since 2011.
|
Two registered investment companies consisting of two portfolios
|
None
|
|||||
E. Han Kim (68)
|
Class I Director
|
Director since 2010
|
Business Administration Professor at Ross Business School, University of Michigan since 1990; Advisor to CEO of Taubman Company since 2009; Advisor to CEO of POSCO from 2008 to 2009.
|
Two registered investment companies consisting of two portfolios
|
None
|
|||||
David B. Chemidlin (58)
|
Class III Director
|
Director since 2006
|
Corporate Controller, Advance Magazine Publishers, Inc. (d/b/a Conde Nast) since 1995.
|
Two registered investment companies consisting of two portfolios
|
None
|
|||||
Marcia L. MacHarg (66)
|
Class I Director
|
Director since 2013
|
Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, 1987-2012; Of Counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP since 2013; Trustee, Board of Trustees of Smith College since July 2014; Member of the Executive Committee of the Friends of Smith College Libraries since 2013.
|
Two registered investment companies consisting of two portfolios
|
None
|
*
|
In addition to the Fund, the “Fund Complex” includes Korea Equity Fund, Inc.
|
Name and Age
|
Position(s)
Held with the Fund |
Term of
Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number of
Funds in the Fund Complex* Overseen by the Director** |
Other
Public Directorships Held by Director |
|||||
Yutaka Itabashi (49)*
|
Class II Director and President
|
Director and President since 2013
|
Senior Managing Director of Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“NAM”) since April 2015. President and Chief Executive Officer of Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc. (“NAM-USA”) and President of Nomura Global Alpha LLC (“NGA”) since October 2013. Managing Director of NAM from 2012 to 2013. Senior Managing Director of Nomura Funds Research and Technologies Co., Ltd. from 2009 to 2012.
|
Two registered investment companies consisting of two portfolios
|
None
|
*
|
Mr. Itabashi is an “interested person,” of the Fund based on his positions with NAM-USA. Mr. Itabashi is also a director of Korea Equity Fund, Inc., for which NAM-USA acts as manager and for which NAM acts as investment adviser.
|
**
|
In addition to the Fund, the “Fund Complex” includes Korea Equity Fund, Inc.
|
Name, Address* and
Age of Officers |
Position(s) Held
with the Fund |
Term of Office** and
Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupation(s) or
Employment During Past Five Years |
|||
Yutaka Itabashi (49)
|
President and Class II Director
|
President since November 2013
|
Senior Managing Director of Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“NAM”) since April 2015. President and Chief Executive Officer of Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc. (“NAM-USA”) and President of Nomura Global Alpha LLC (“NGA”) since October 2013. Managing Director of NAM from 2012 to 2013. Senior Managing Director of Nomura Funds Research and Technologies Co., Ltd. from 2009 to 2012.
|
|||
Hiromichi Aoki (56)
|
Vice President
|
Vice President since 2011
|
Managing Director of NAM-USA since 2011; Managing Director and Head of Merchant Banking at Nomura International plc, London from 2006 to 2011.
|
|||
Maria R. Premole (52)
|
Vice President
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Vice President since October 2013
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Vice President and head of Retail Product Management of NAM-USA since September 2013; Associate of NAM-USA from 2008 to 2013.
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Neil Daniele (54)
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Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer
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Secretary since 2002; Chief Compliance Officer since 2005
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Chief Compliance Officer of NAM-USA since 2005 and Managing Director of NAM-USA since 2007; Chief Compliance Officer of NGA since 2008; Chief Compliance Officer of Nomura Corporate Research and Asset Management Inc. and Nomura Funds Research and Technologies America, Inc. since 2009; Corporate Secretary of NAM-USA and NGA since November 2013.
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Amy J. Marose (37)
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Treasurer
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Treasurer since October 2013; Assistant Treasurer from November 2011 to October 2013
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Controller and Treasurer of NAM-USA and Treasurer of NGA since October 2013; Vice President of NAM-USA since 2009.
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Jamie Gannalo (28)
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Assistant Treasurer
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Assistant Treasurer since October 2013
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Associate of NAM-USA since January 2013; Senior Associate at Rothstein Kass from 2010 to 2012; Associate at Rothstein Kass from 2008 to 2010.
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*
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The address of each officer listed above is Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th Street, New York, New York 10019.
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**
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Elected by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rodney A. Buck
David B. Chemidlin
Yutaka Itabashi
E. Han Kim
Marcia L. MacHarg
OFFICERS
Yutaka Itabashi, President
Hiromichi Aoki, Vice President
Maria R. Premole, Vice President
Neil A. Daniele, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer
Amy J. Marose, Treasurer
Jamie Gannalo, Assistant Treasurer
MANAGER
Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc.
Worldwide Plaza
309 West 49th Street
New York, New York 10019-7316
Internet Address
www.nomura.com
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd.
1-12,1-Chome, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku,
Tokyo 103-8260, Japan
DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT
AND REGISTRAR
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078
CUSTODIAN
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
50 Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1548
COUNSEL
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
McGladrey LLP
80 City Square
Boston, MA 02129
JAPAN SMALLER CAPITALIZATION FUND, INC.
WORLDWIDE PLAZA
309 WEST 49TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-7316
This Report, including the Financial Statements, is transmitted to the Shareholders of Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in the Report.
|
JAPAN
Smaller Capitalization
Fund, Inc.
ANNUAL REPORT
FEBRUARY 28, 2015
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(a)
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As of February 28 2015, the Registrant had adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party.
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(c)
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There were no amendments during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Controller, or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of Item 2 of Form N-CSR.
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(d)
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Not applicable. |
(e)
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Not applicable. |
(f)
|
A copy of the Registrant’s code of ethics will be provided upon request at no charge by contacting the Registrant's Chief Compliance Officer at (212) 661-1873 or via post request addressed to Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th St. New York, NY 10019. Attn: Chief Compliance Officer |
(a)
|
The Registrant’s Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, which consists of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Registrant within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Currently, Rodney A. Buck, David B. Chemidlin, E. Han Kim and Marcia L. MacHarg are members of the Audit Committee.
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1.
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General Policy
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2.
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Proxy Voting Guidelines
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(1)
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The company has violated the law, including engaging in criminal activities or fraudulent accounting practices. We have determined that the company has engaged activities that are inconsistent with overarching principles of corporate governance, including those related to social, ethical and environmental issues. However, we do not exercise our proxy voting rights solely as a means to address specific social or political issues, irrespective of investment returns of the company.
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(2)
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The auditor’s opinion on the company is qualified.
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(3)
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The company’s disclosure is determined to be inadequate, and therefore, deemed harmful to shareholders’ interests.
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(4)
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The company continuously reports sluggish business performance and poor investment returns, and where we consider management’s efforts for improvement to be inadequate.
|
(5)
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The company accumulates a large amount of financial assets which we believe are not used effectively and/or are not distributed to shareholders adequately.
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(6)
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The company’s business and financial strategies are deemed to be not in the best interest of shareholders.
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(7)
|
The composition and/or size of the company’s board of directors or the
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(8)
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Extraordinary agenda items, such as amendments to the company’s articles of incorporation, which we determine not to be in shareholders’ best interests.
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3.
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Positions on Specific Issues
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(1)
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Election of Directors
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(2)
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Election of Auditors
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(3)
|
Executive Compensation
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(4)
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Stock Option
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(5)
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Capital Policy
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(6)
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Corporate Actions
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4.
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Conflict of Interests
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5.
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Other Considerations
|
(1)
|
Non-voting cases
|
(a)
|
(1) As of February 28, 2015, Mr. Hiromitsu Daimon acts as the Registrant’s lead portfolio manager, (the “Portfolio Manager”). Mr. Daimon leads the Japan Small Cap Team of Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd., the Fund’s Investment Adviser. He has been a member of the Japan Small/Mid Cap Team and has been managing Japan Small Cap Funds for Japanese retail clients since 2003 and has served as the Portfolio Manager of the Fund since 2013. The Portfolio Manager is primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management for the Registrant. The Portfolio Manager oversees investment decisions and activities and reviews research analysis.
(2) As of February 28, 2015, the Portfolio Manager was primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management for the Registrant and for two other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies under the 1940 Act (with total assets of $119 million as of February 28, 2015). None of the investment advisory fees with respect to these accounts is based on the performance of the account. Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise where a portfolio manager has day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one account. These conflicts include the following: (i) the process for allocation of investments among multiple accounts for which a particular investment may be appropriate, (ii) allocation of a portfolio manager's time and attention among relevant accounts and (iii) circumstances where the Registrant's investment adviser has an incentive fee arrangement or other interest with respect to one account that does not exist with respect to other accounts.
(3) The Portfolio Manager receives a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation consisting of a cash bonus. The methodology used to determine the Portfolio Manager's compensation is applied across all accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager. Generally, the Portfolio Manager receives fixed salary compensation based on his duties and performance. The amount of base salary is reviewed annually after completion of the formal performance appraisal process. In order to appraise the Portfolio Manager's performance, certain measures are used, such as a review of his specialties and expertise, a review of his capabilities to achieve assigned duties and a review of his management and communication skills. In addition to base compensation, the Portfolio Manager may receive discretionary compensation in the form of a cash bonus. The bonus, which is paid annually, is based on both quantitative and qualitative scores. The quantitative score is determined prior to payment based on the performance of the Portfolio Manager's accounts, measured on a pre-tax basis for rolling three-year periods against the Russell / Nomura Small Cap Tm Index. The quantitative scoring for purposes of the bonus comprises 60 percent of the performance appraisal measurement. The qualitative score is determined by analyzing the quality of the Portfolio Manager's contribution to the Registrant's investment adviser. While the bonus can range up to 100 percent or more of base salary, the Registrant's investment adviser has indicated that cash bonuses typically represent approximately 20 to 40 percent of its portfolio managers' aggregate cash compensation.
(4) As of February 28, 2015, the Portfolio Manager did not own beneficially any securities issued by the Registrant.
|
(b)
|
Not applicable.
|
(a)
|
Not applicable
|
(b)
|
Not applicable
|
(a) (2)
|
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto as an exhibit.
|
(b) |
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are furnished herewith as an exhibit.
|
By: /s/ Yutaka Itabashi
|
|
Yutaka Itabashi, President | |
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
Date: May 14, 2015 | |
|
By: /s/ Yutaka Itabashi
|
|
Yutaka Itabashi, President | |
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
Date: May 14, 2015 | |
|
By: /s/ Amy J. Marose
|
|
Amy J. Marose, Treasurer | |
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
|
|
Date: May 14, 2015 | |
|