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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ClAvafrapxSc/GROiOu6NZiAoVmbdIZrRWVd4jDwAS5m4jd3ktN56nhBcFNaLgd9
 OXkFITq8vcN8+I38sDbkgg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000897204-07-000142.txt : 20070913
<SEC-HEADER>0000897204-07-000142.hdr.sgml : 20070913
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070913123726
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000897204-07-000142
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070906
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070913
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070913

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JAPAN EQUITY FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000866095
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				223060893
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE EVERTRUST PLAZA
		STREET 2:		C/O DAIWA SECURITIES TRUST CO
		CITY:			JERSEY CITY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07302
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2019153054

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		DAIWA SECURITIES TRUST CO
		STREET 2:		ONE EVERTRUST PLAZA
		CITY:			JERSEY CITY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07302

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	JAPAN EMERGING EQUITY FUND INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920407

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HERRING RICHARD J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001250383

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-06142
		FILM NUMBER:		071115025

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PAMELA USSERY DEUTSCHE BANK
		STREET 2:		345 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10154
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2123364667

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		345 PARK AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10154
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>japanh_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-09-06</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000866095</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>JAPAN EQUITY FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>JEQ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001250383</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HERRING RICHARD J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>345 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10154</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard J. Herring</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-09-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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