INVESTORS SET DEADLINE FOR JAPAN FUND &lt;JPN>

  An investor group that includes T.
  Boone Pickens III said it set a deadline of 1600 EST on March
  11 for its offer to acquire Japan Fund Inc.
      The group, which also includes &lt;Sterling Grace Capital
  Management Inc LP> and &lt;Anglo American Security Fund LP>, said
  it was willing to deposit in escrow 100,000 Japan Fund shares,
  worth about two mln dlrs, to insure its ability to obtain
  financing if Japan Fund approves its offer.
      The group said Japan Fund has not responded to its offer,
  worth about 525 mln dlrs at current market prices.
  

