UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE 
COMMISSION
	Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM N-17f-2

Certificate of Accounting of 
Securities and Similar
Investments in the Custody of
Management Investment 
Companies
Pursuant to Rule 17f-2 [17 
CFR 270.17F-2]



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1. Investment Company Act File Number:

811-06142
Date examination 
completed:

December  22, 2004
2. State identification Number:

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO

CT
DE
DC
FL
GA
HI

ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY

LA
ME
MD
MA
MI
MN

MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
NH

NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH

OK
OR
PA
RI
SC
SD

TN
TX
UT
VT
VA
WA

WV
WI
WY
PUERTO RICO

Other (specify):
3. Exact name of investment company as specified in registration statement:

The Japan Equity Fund, Inc.
4. Address of principal executive office (number, street, city, state, zip 
code):

John O'Keefe One Evertrust Plaza 9th Floor,  Jersey City, NJ 07302


INSTRUCTIONS

This Form must be completed by investment companies that have custody of
securities or similar investments.

Investment Company

1.	All items must be completed by the investment company.

2.	Give this Form to the independent public accountant who,in compliance
with Rule 17f-2 under the Act and applicable state law, examines securities 
and similar investments in the custody of the investment company.

Accountant

3.	Submit this Form to the Securities and Exchange Commission and 
appropriate state securities administrators when filing the certificate 
of accounting required by Rule 17f-2 under the Act and applicable state law.
File the original and one copy with the Securities and Exchange Commission's 
principal office in Washington, D.C., one copy with the regional office for
the region in which the investment company's principal business operations 
are conducted, and one copy with the appropriate state administrator(s),
if applicable.

  THIS FORM MUST BE GIVEN TO YOUR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
                               SEC 2198 (11-91)