Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. Announces Monthly Distributions for January, February and March 2026 Under Its Level Distribution Plan

Rhea-AI Summary

Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (NYSE: JOF) declared monthly cash distributions under its Level Distribution Plan for January–March 2026. Each monthly distribution is $0.0887 with record/ex-dividend dates and payment dates set as: January 15, 2026 (payable Jan 30), February 16, 2026 (payable Feb 27), and March 16, 2026 (payable Mar 31).

The LDP aims to provide a generally constant monthly distribution paid primarily in cash, or in Fund shares for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan unless cash is elected. Distributions may be funded from net investment income, realized capital gains, and/or a return of shareholder capital; composition will be reported on Form 1099-DIV after year-end. The Fund cautioned the LDP is not a guarantee and may affect NAV or the market discount to NAV.

Positive

• Monthly distribution of $0.0887 for Jan–Mar 2026
• Clear payment schedule with exact record and payment dates
• Distributions primarily paid in cash for most shareholders

Negative

• Distributions may include return of capital, affecting tax basis
• LDP distributions are not guaranteed and may change
• Plan could affect share discount to NAV or market price

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) (NYSE: JOF) today declared monthly cash distributions to common shareholders pursuant to its Level Distribution Plan (“LDP”) as follows:

Record Date	Ex-Dividend Date	Payment Date	Distribution Amount
January 15, 2026	January 15, 2026	January 30, 2026	$0.0887
February 16, 2026	February 16, 2026	February 27, 2026	$0.0887
March 16, 2026	March 16, 2026	March 31, 2026	$0.0887

The LDP is intended to provide shareholders with a constant, though not guaranteed, fixed rate of distribution each month.

Distributions will be made primarily in cash but under the Fund’s dividend-reinvestment plan, distributions will be made in Fund shares unless a shareholder has elected to receive cash. Shares held with a broker-dealer will receive distributions in cash.

Under the LDP, distributions may be derived from any combination of: (i) net investment income, (ii) realized capital gains, and/or (iii) a return of shareholder capital. The actual composition for each fiscal year will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV after year-end. Estimates provided in any monthly notice or in this press release are not intended for tax-reporting purposes and should not be relied upon as such.

The Fund cannot predict what effect, if any, the LDP will have on the market price of its shares, or whether such market price will trade at a narrower or wider discount to Net Asset Value (“NAV”) compared to levels prior to the Plan’s adoption.

Continued Focus on Long-Term Value

Today’s announcement represents the Fund’s objective to deliver competitive performance and stable distributions to shareholders. The Board and Nomura Asset Management U.S.A. Inc. (“NAM-U.S.A.”) remain committed to delivering long-term value creation and addressing the interests of our shareholders.

About the Fund

The Fund invests primarily in the securities of smaller capitalization companies in Japan and is designed for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation. The Manager of the Fund is NAM-U.S.A., which is based in New York. NAM-U.S.A. is a subsidiary of Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd., which is one of the largest investment advisory companies in Japan in terms of assets under management and serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Although the Fund and NAM-U.S.A. believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Fund and NAM-U.S.A. can give no assurance that their expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

Contact: Maria Premole
1-800-833-0018
JOFInvestorRelations@nomura-asset.com

FAQ

What distribution amount did JOF announce for January–March 2026?

JOF declared a monthly distribution of $0.0887 for each month January, February, and March 2026.

What are the JOF record, ex-dividend and payment dates for January 2026?

Record and ex-dividend date: January 15, 2026; payment date: January 30, 2026.

Will JOF distributions be paid in cash or shares under the Level Distribution Plan?

Distributions will be made primarily in cash, but shareholders in the dividend-reinvestment plan will receive Fund shares unless they elected cash.

How will JOF report the tax composition of the January–March 2026 distributions?

The Fund will report the actual composition (income, capital gains, return of capital) on Form 1099-DIV after year-end.

Could JOF’s Level Distribution Plan affect the market price or NAV discount?

Yes; the Fund said it cannot predict whether the LDP will narrow or widen the market discount to NAV or affect market price.

What are the payment dates for JOF distributions in February and March 2026?

February payment date: February 27, 2026; March payment date: March 31, 2026.