Appointment of Director

Fleming Japanese Smaller Cos IT PLC
11 September 2001


THE FLEMING JAPANESE SMALLER COMPANIES INVESTMENT TRUST PLC


11th September 2001


New Director


The Board of The Fleming Japanese Smaller Companies Investment Trust plc are
pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Anthony Newsome as a non-executive
Director with effect from 5th September 2001.


Mr Newsome's involvement with the Japanese stock market stretches back to 1972
when he joined Vickers da Costa as an equity analyst.  He has held the
position of general manager of the Tokyo branch of Vickers, Director of
Henderson Baring Management (subsequently renamed Baring International
Investment Management), and was the co-founder and joint Managing Director of
Genesis Investment Management, until his retirement in March 2001.


Mr Newsome is also currently a Director of Martin Currie Japan Investment
Trust plc and has been since its inception.



In accordance with paragraph 16.4 of the FSA Listing Rules.  Mr Anthony
Newsome is currently a Director of the following publicly quoted company.



Company                                            Date of appointment

Martin Currie Japan Investment Trust plc           23 April 1994


Mr Anthony Newsome has also been a Director of the following publicly quoted
company in the past five years:



Company                  Date of appointment        Date  of resignation

Reunion Mining plc       15 October 1990            4 June 1999


There are no further details requiring disclosure under paragraph 16.4 of the
FSA Listing Rules.



For further information, please contact:


Hilary Lowe, Company Secretary

The Fleming Japanese Smaller Companies Investment Trust  plc... 020 7742 3274