<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-11-21</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000859796</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>JAPAN SMALLER CAPITALIZATION FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JOF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0002046404</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Laby Arthur Blake</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O JAPAN SMALLER CAPITALIZATION FUND</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>309 WEST 49TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>true</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Arthur Blake Laby</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-11-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
