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.
 Reuter
