- Investment Professional
- Products & Strategies
- MFS Meridian Funds
- Japan Equity Fund
Japan Equity Fund
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR MARKETING PURPOSES ONLY
Please note that this is an actively managed product.
Class I shares are only available to certain qualifying institutional investors.
Japan Equity Fund
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Seeks capital appreciation, measured in Japanese Yen.
INVESTMENT FOCUS
An analyst run portfolio generally investing in large- and mid-cap Japanese securities diversified by sector and invested across industries, styles, and market capitalizations
Invest for the long term generally with low turnover in an effort to capitalize on opportunities created by investors with shorter-term investment horizon
Portfolio constructed from high conviction ideas generated from 8 global sector teams, with risk management at multiple levels (stock, sector, portfolio)
Important Risk Considerations
The fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund.
Please see the prospectus for further information on these and other risk considerations.
Fund Information
- Fund Inception 01-Aug-2007
- Net Assets (¥ M) As of 31-Mar-25 ¥563.37
- Fiscal Year End JANUARY
- SFDR Classification Article 6
- Benchmark MSCI Japan Index (net div)
Share Class Information
- Class Inception 19-Feb-2025
- Net Asset Value (NAV) As of 23-Apr-25 $179.02
-
Most Recent NAV Change
As of 23-Apr-25
- ISIN LU2971679282
- SEDOL BT8SCY6
- WKN A40Z2B
- Bloomberg MFSMJIF LX
- CUSIP L6367C633
- Maximum Sales Charge --
- Benchmark MSCI Japan Index (net div)
MANAGERS
Top 10 Holdings
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc
- Hitachi Ltd
- NEC Corp
- Sompo Holdings Inc
- GMO Payment Gateway Inc
- Toyota Industries Corp
- USS Co Ltd
- Nitto Denko Corp
- Mitsui & Co Ltd
- Mitsubishi Electric Corp
The team of investment professionals works with the Fund's portfolio manager to determine the asset allocation among the underlying MFS Funds in which the Fund invests. The team is comprised of analysts and portfolio managers who apply quantitative research across multiple factors to determine investment opportunities. These factors look to incorporate intuitive factors with sound economic rationale that provide systematic objective appraisals of company fundamentals and valuation, complementing our traditional fundamental research process.

Akira Fuse, CMA
General Oversight
Akira Fuse, CMA, is an investment officer and institutional equity portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he participates in the research process and strategy discussions, assesses portfolio risk, customizes portfolios to client objectives and guidelines and manages daily cash flows. He also communicates investment policy, strategy and positioning. He is based in Japan. Akira joined MFS in 2019 in his current role. He previously served as an investment director at Capital Group for eleven years. Prior to that, he was the head of product management, international at Schroder Investment Management for three years, a global equity portfolio manager at Deutsche Asset Management for five years, a portfolio manager for non-Japan equity at IBJ NW Asset Management for three years and a portfolio manager at Sumitomo Life Insurance Company for nine years. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1988. Akira earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Osaka Prefecture University. He holds the Chartered Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA) designation.
- 12 Month Total Returns
- Average Annual Total Returns
- Annual Rate of Return
- Pricing & Distributions
- Performance Attribution
12 Month Total Returns (%)
12 Month Total Returns (%)
As of 31-Mar-25 [updated monthly]12 month period ending: |
31-Mar-21
or Life
|
31-Mar-22 | 31-Mar-23 | 31-Mar-24 | 31-Mar-25 | YTD % | Class Inception |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class IF1 Shares, US Dollars at NAV | 40.87 | -14.14 | -3.99 | 18.09 | 1.77 | 7.01 | 19-Feb-2025 |
MSCI Japan Index (net div) | 39.73 | -6.47 | -5.23 | 25.78 | -2.10 | - | - |
12 month period ending: | Class IF1 Shares, US Dollars at NAV | |
---|---|---|
31-Mar-21 or Life | 40.87 | |
31-Mar-22 | -14.14 | |
31-Mar-23 | -3.99 | |
31-Mar-24 | 18.09 | |
31-Mar-25 | 1.77 | |
YTD % | 7.01 | |
Class Inception | 19-Feb-2025 | 19-Feb-2025 |
Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
Important Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Average Annual Total Returns (%)
Average Annual Total Returns (%)
Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
Important Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Annual Rate of Return (%)
Annual Rate of Return (%)
As of 31-Dec-24 Benchmark: MSCI Japan Index (net div)
Life
|
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At NAV | 3.16 | 12.91 | 1.39 | 24.20 | -14.50 | 20.23 | 18.59 | -1.58 | -21.15 | 17.25 | 5.35 |
MSCI Japan Index (net div) | - | 9.57 | 2.38 | 23.99 | -12.88 | 19.61 | 14.48 | 1.71 | -16.65 | 20.32 | 8.31 |
At NAV | MSCI Japan Index (net div) | |
---|---|---|
2024 | 5.35 | 8.31 |
2023 | 17.25 | 20.32 |
2022 | -21.15 | -16.65 |
2021 | -1.58 | 1.71 |
2020 | 18.59 | 14.48 |
2019 | 20.23 | 19.61 |
2018 | -14.5 | -12.88 |
2017 | 24.2 | 23.99 |
2016 | 1.39 | 2.38 |
2015 | 12.91 | 9.57 |
3.16 | - |
Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
Important Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Pricing History
- NAV at Close of Trading on: 23-Apr-25
- Net Asset Value (NAV): $179.02
-
Change
($) (since
22-Apr-25):
-
Change (%) (since
22-Apr-25):
- Market Price (MP):
Historical NAV may not be available for all dates.
Historical MP may not be available for all dates.
NAV at Close of Trading on | Net Asset Value (NAV) |
---|
Distributions
Performance Attribution
GuideAvailable approximately 15 or 25 days after month end
Available approximately 25 days after quarter end
Year To Date (YTD)
12 Month Attribution
Largest Sector Weights
Holding Characteristics
characterstics | Equity Earning |
---|---|
Weighted Average Price/Earnings (next 12 months) | 15.52x |
Weighted Average Price/Cash Flow | 11.50x |
Weighted Average Price/Sales | 1.31x |
Weighted Average Price/Book | 1.65x |
Weighted Average IBES Long Term EPS Growth | 12.26% |
Weighted Average Dividend Yield | 2.04% |
Weighted Average Market Cap | ¥5535.9b |
Weighted Median Market Cap | ¥3712.8b |
Number of Issues | 56 |
Active Share | 63.54% |
Portfolio Turnover (U.S. Method) | 63.17% |
Portfolio Turnover (LUX Method) | 93.60% |
% in Stocks | 97.48% |
% Cash & Cash Equivalents | 2.52% |
% in Top Ten | 27.55% |
Performance Statistics
10 Yr. | 5 Yr. | 3 Yr. | |
---|---|---|---|
Alpha | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Beta | n/a | n/a | n/a |
R-squared | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Standard Deviation % | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Sharpe Ratio | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Tracking Error | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Information Ratio | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Treynor Ratio | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Downside Capture % | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Upside Capture % | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Top 10 Holdings
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc
- Hitachi Ltd
- NEC Corp
- Sompo Holdings Inc
- GMO Payment Gateway Inc
- Toyota Industries Corp
- USS Co Ltd
- Nitto Denko Corp
- Mitsui & Co Ltd
- Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Type Of Holdings (%)
Sector Weights (%)
- % Assets
-
Capital Goods
35.32
-
Technology
21.96
-
Financial Services
14.80
-
Consumer Cyclicals
9.65
-
Health Care
6.09
-
Communication Services
5.22
-
Consumer Staples
4.45
-
Cash & Cash Equivalents
2.52
Currency Weights (%)
-
Japanese Yen
100.00
Region & Country
As of 31-Mar-25Region & Country | % Assets |
---|---|
1 Countries
|
97.48
|
Japan
|
97.48
|
1 Countries
|
2.52
|
Cash & Cash Equivalents
|
2.52
|
By Country |
---|
Top Country Weightings (%)
-
Japan
97.48
-
Cash & Cash Equivalents
2.52
Portfolio characteristics are based on equivalent exposure, which measures how a portfolio's value would change due to price changes in an asset held either directly or, in the case of a derivative contract, indirectly. The market value of the holding may differ.
*Short positions, unlike long positions, lose value if the underlying asset gains value.
-
Overview
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Seeks capital appreciation, measured in Japanese Yen.
INVESTMENT FOCUS
An analyst run portfolio generally investing in large- and mid-cap Japanese securities diversified by sector and invested across industries, styles, and market capitalizations
Invest for the long term generally with low turnover in an effort to capitalize on opportunities created by investors with shorter-term investment horizon
Portfolio constructed from high conviction ideas generated from 8 global sector teams, with risk management at multiple levels (stock, sector, portfolio)
Important Risk Considerations
The fund may not achieve its objective and/or you could lose money on your investment in the fund.
Please see the prospectus for further information on these and other risk considerations.
Fund Information
- Fund Inception 01-Aug-2007
- Net Assets (¥ M) As of 31-Mar-25 ¥563.37
- Fiscal Year End JANUARY
- SFDR Classification Article 6
- Benchmark MSCI Japan Index (net div)
Share Class Information
- Class Inception 19-Feb-2025
- Net Asset Value (NAV) As of 23-Apr-25 $179.02
-
Most Recent NAV Change
As of 23-Apr-25
- ISIN LU2971679282
- SEDOL BT8SCY6
- WKN A40Z2B
- Bloomberg MFSMJIF LX
- CUSIP L6367C633
- Maximum Sales Charge --
- Benchmark MSCI Japan Index (net div)
MANAGERS
Top 10 Holdings
As of 31-Mar-25- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc
- Hitachi Ltd
- NEC Corp
- Sompo Holdings Inc
- GMO Payment Gateway Inc
- Toyota Industries Corp
- USS Co Ltd
- Nitto Denko Corp
- Mitsui & Co Ltd
- Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Full and Historical HoldingsThe portfolio is actively managed, and current holdings may be different.Team of Investment ProfessionalsThe team of investment professionals works with the Fund's portfolio manager to determine the asset allocation among the underlying MFS Funds in which the Fund invests. The team is comprised of analysts and portfolio managers who apply quantitative research across multiple factors to determine investment opportunities. These factors look to incorporate intuitive factors with sound economic rationale that provide systematic objective appraisals of company fundamentals and valuation, complementing our traditional fundamental research process.
Akira Fuse, CMA
General Oversight
37YEARS WITH INDUSTRY6YEARS WITH PORTFOLIO37YEARS WITH INDUSTRY
6YEARS WITH PORTFOLIOAkira Fuse, CMA, is an investment officer and institutional equity portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management® (MFS®). In this role, he participates in the research process and strategy discussions, assesses portfolio risk, customizes portfolios to client objectives and guidelines and manages daily cash flows. He also communicates investment policy, strategy and positioning. He is based in Japan. Akira joined MFS in 2019 in his current role. He previously served as an investment director at Capital Group for eleven years. Prior to that, he was the head of product management, international at Schroder Investment Management for three years, a global equity portfolio manager at Deutsche Asset Management for five years, a portfolio manager for non-Japan equity at IBJ NW Asset Management for three years and a portfolio manager at Sumitomo Life Insurance Company for nine years. He began his career in the financial services industry in 1988. Akira earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Osaka Prefecture University. He holds the Chartered Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan (CMA) designation.
-
Performance
- 12 Month Total Returns
- Average Annual Total Returns
- Annual Rate of Return
- Pricing & Distributions
- Performance Attribution
12 Month Total Returns12 Month Total Returns (%)
12 Month Total Returns (%)
As of 31-Mar-25 [updated monthly]12 month period ending: 31-Mar-21or Life31-Mar-22 31-Mar-23 31-Mar-24 31-Mar-25 YTD % Class Inception Class IF1 Shares, US Dollars at NAV 40.87 -14.14 -3.99 18.09 1.77 7.01 19-Feb-2025 MSCI Japan Index (net div) 39.73 -6.47 -5.23 25.78 -2.10 - - 12 month period ending: Class IF1 Shares, US Dollars at NAV 31-Mar-21 or Life 40.87 31-Mar-22 -14.14 31-Mar-23 -3.99 31-Mar-24 18.09 31-Mar-25 1.77 YTD % 7.01 Class Inception 19-Feb-2025 19-Feb-2025 Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
Important Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Average Annual Total ReturnsAverage Annual Total Returns (%)
Average Annual Total Returns (%)
Updated monthly as of 31-Mar-25Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
MORNINGSTAR RATINGOVERALLOut Of FundsNATHREE YEAROut Of FundsNAFIVE YEAROut Of FundsNATEN YEAROut Of FundsNAImportant Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Annual Rate of ReturnAnnual Rate of Return (%)
Annual Rate of Return (%)
As of 31-Dec-24 Benchmark: MSCI Japan Index (net div)annual rate of return table Life2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 At NAV 3.16 12.91 1.39 24.20 -14.50 20.23 18.59 -1.58 -21.15 17.25 5.35 MSCI Japan Index (net div) - 9.57 2.38 23.99 -12.88 19.61 14.48 1.71 -16.65 20.32 8.31 At NAV MSCI Japan Index (net div) 2024 5.35 8.31 2023 17.25 20.32 2022 -21.15 -16.65 2021 -1.58 1.71 2020 18.59 14.48 2019 20.23 19.61 2018 -14.5 -12.88 2017 24.2 23.99 2016 1.39 2.38 2015 12.91 9.57 3.16 - Performance results reflect ongoing charges and any applicable expense subsidies and waivers in effect during the periods shown. All historic results assume distributions within the fund and/or the share class are reinvested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator for future results. All financial investments involve an element of risk. The value of investments may rise and fall so you may get back less than originally invested.
Investors should consider the risks, including lower returns, related to currency movements between their investing currency and the portfolio's base currency, if different.
Important Performance Information
Class I1 Roll-Up shares do not pay distributions to shareholders.
The MFS Meridian Funds offer several share classes each with different expenses. Performance reflects the performance of a relevant older class with the same currency until the class inception date of the class detailed. Performance for periods prior to that date may have been higher or lower had the actual share class fees and expenses been reflected.
Please note that these share classes will be available for investment up until the fund reaches AUM of $200 million, at which point the Founders Class will be soft-closed.
At this time these share classes will only be available in a limited selection of currencies.
Pricing & DistributionsPricing History
- NAV at Close of Trading on: 23-Apr-25
- Net Asset Value (NAV): $179.02
-
Change
($) (since
22-Apr-25):
-
Change (%) (since
22-Apr-25):
- Market Price (MP):
Maximum data displayed is for the most recent 10 yearsHistorical NAV LookupEnter date for which you wish to obtain a Historical NAV for this fundHistorical NAV may not be available for all dates.
Historical MP LookupEnter date for which you wish to obtain a Historical MP for this fundHistorical MP may not be available for all dates.
Historical Exit Price TableNAV at Close of Trading on Net Asset Value (NAV) No Data AvailableDistributions
There are no distributions for this share class or distributions are currently not availablePerformance AttributionPerformance Attribution
GuideAvailable approximately 15 or 25 days after month end
Quarterly AttributionAvailable approximately 25 days after quarter end
Year To Date (YTD)
12 Month Attribution
Calendar YearNo Data Available -
Portfolio & Holdings Information
Sector, Holding & Characterstics
Largest Sector Weights
As of 31-Mar-25Holding Characteristics
As of 31-Mar-25Data table of holding characteristics characterstics Equity Earning Weighted Average Price/Earnings (next 12 months) 15.52x Weighted Average Price/Cash Flow 11.50x Weighted Average Price/Sales 1.31x Weighted Average Price/Book 1.65x Weighted Average IBES Long Term EPS Growth 12.26% Weighted Average Dividend Yield 2.04% Weighted Average Market Cap ¥5535.9b Weighted Median Market Cap ¥3712.8b Number of Issues 56 Active Share 63.54% Portfolio Turnover (U.S. Method) 63.17% Portfolio Turnover (LUX Method) 93.60% % in Stocks 97.48% % Cash & Cash Equivalents 2.52% % in Top Ten 27.55% Performance Statistics
Updated Monthly As of 31-Mar-25BenchmarkMSCI Japan Index (net div)Performance Statistics Table 10 Yr. 5 Yr. 3 Yr. Alpha n/a n/a n/a Beta n/a n/a n/a R-squared n/a n/a n/a Standard Deviation % n/a n/a n/a Sharpe Ratio n/a n/a n/a Tracking Error n/a n/a n/a Information Ratio n/a n/a n/a Treynor Ratio n/a n/a n/a Downside Capture % n/a n/a n/a Upside Capture % n/a n/a n/a Top 10 Holdings
As of 31-Mar-25- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc
- Hitachi Ltd
- NEC Corp
- Sompo Holdings Inc
- GMO Payment Gateway Inc
- Toyota Industries Corp
- USS Co Ltd
- Nitto Denko Corp
- Mitsui & Co Ltd
- Mitsubishi Electric Corp
The portfolio is actively managed, and current holdings may be different.Type Of Holdings (%)
As of 31-Mar-25Sector Weights (%)
As of 31-Mar-25- % Assets
-
Capital Goods
35.32
-
Technology
21.96
-
Financial Services
14.80
-
Consumer Cyclicals
9.65
-
Health Care
6.09
-
Communication Services
5.22
-
Consumer Staples
4.45
-
Cash & Cash Equivalents
2.52
ExposuresCurrency Weights (%)
As of 31-Mar-25-
Japanese Yen
100.00
Region & CountryRegion & Country
As of 31-Mar-25Region & Country Table Region & Country % Assets 1 Countries97.48Japan97.481 Countries2.52Cash & Cash Equivalents2.52By Country Table By Country Top Country Weightings (%)
As of 31-Mar-25-
Japan
97.48
-
Cash & Cash Equivalents
2.52
Important Characteristics InformationThe portfolio is actively managed, and current holdings may be different.Portfolio characteristics are based on equivalent exposure, which measures how a portfolio's value would change due to price changes in an asset held either directly or, in the case of a derivative contract, indirectly. The market value of the holding may differ.
*Short positions, unlike long positions, lose value if the underlying asset gains value.
-
Resources
Fund Documents & Fact SheetsClick here to view fund documents such as Key Investor Documents, Complete Prospectus, Annual Report, Semi Annual Report, Swing Pricing, and Fact Sheets. Some of these documents are available in other languages.