Directorate Change

Baillie Gifford Japan Trust PLC
02 October 2003

                      The Baillie Gifford Japan Trust PLC

                            Appointment of Director

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Nick Bannerman to the
Board with effect from 2 October 2003.

Mr Bannerman, who is 37, was appointed a Director on 2 October 2003. He is
Managing Director of Peter Scott & Co Ltd, manufacturer and worldwide  exporter
of Scottish Cashmere. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant and a director
of The Scottish Cashmere Club Ltd.

The appointment of Mr Bannerman falls to be ratified by Shareholders at the
Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 26 November 2003.



                                                           Baillie Gifford & Co.
                                                             Company Secretaries
                                                                  2 October 2003


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