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Risk/Return:

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Risk/Return [Heading]

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MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND

Objective [Heading]

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Investment Objective

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

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Long-term capital appreciation.

Expense [Heading]

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Fees and Expenses of the Fund

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

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This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of this Fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

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SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

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ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

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The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example of fund expenses, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 43% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate

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Expense Example [Heading]

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EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

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This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

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Principal Investment Strategy

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

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Under normal market conditions, the Matthews Japan Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Japan. A company is considered to be “located” in a country or a region if it has substantial ties to that country or region, and currently, Matthews makes that determination primarily based on one or more of the following five criteria: if the company (i) is organized under the laws of that country or any country in that region; (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located, within that country or region; (iii) has the primary trading markets for its securities in that country or region; (iv) has its principal place of business in or is otherwise headquartered in that country or region; or (v) is a governmental entity or an agency, instrumentality or a political subdivision of that country or any country in that region. The Fund may also invest in depositary receipts, including American, European and Global Depositary Receipts.

The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management’s depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health. Matthews expects that the companies in which the Fund invests typically will be of medium or large size, but the Fund may invest in companies of any size. Matthews measures a company’s size with respect to fundamental criteria such as, but not limited to, market capitalization, book value, revenues, profits, cash flow, dividends paid and number of employees.

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Principal Risks of Investment

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

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There is no guarantee that your investment in the Fund will increase in value. The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:

Political, Social and Economic Risks: The value of the Fund’s assets may be adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability; inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries within the Asian region (including countries in which the Fund invests, as well as the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural disasters; corruption and military activity. The Asian region, and particularly China, Japan and South Korea, may be adversely affected by political, military, economic and other factors related to North Korea. In addition, China’s long-running conflict over Taiwan, border disputes with many of its neighbors and historically strained relations with Japan could adversely impact economies in the region. The economies of many Asian countries differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global trade. Certain Asian countries are highly dependent upon and may be affected by developments in the United States, Europe and other Asian economies.

Currency Risks: When the Fund conducts securities transactions in a foreign currency, there is the risk of the value of the foreign currency increasing or decreasing against the value of the U.S. dollar. The value of an investment denominated in a foreign currency will decline in dollar terms if that currency weakens against the dollar. While the Fund is permitted to hedge currency risks, Matthews does not anticipate doing so at this time.

Depositary Receipts: Although depositary receipts have risks similar to the securities that they represent, they may also involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security. In addition, depositary receipts may not pass through voting and other shareholder rights, and may be less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange.

Risks Associated with Japan: The Japanese economy has only recently emerged from a prolonged economic downturn. Since the year 2000, Japan’s economic growth rate has remained relatively low. The economy is characterized by an aging demographic, declining population, large government debt and highly regulated labor market. Economic growth is dependent on domestic consumption, deregulation and consistent government policy. International trade, particularly with the U.S., also impacts growth and adverse economic conditions in the U.S. or other such trade partners may affect Japan. Japan also has a growing economic relationship with China and other Southeast Asian countries, and thus Japan’s economy may also be affected by economic, political or social instability in those countries (whether resulting from local or global events).

Risks Associated with Medium-Size Companies: Medium-size companies may be subject to a number of risks not associated with larger, more established companies, potentially making their stock prices more volatile and increasing the risk of loss.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

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The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

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Past Performance

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

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The bar chart below shows the Fund’s performance for the past 10 years and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund’s volatility and some indication of risk. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Fund’s performance over certain periods of time, along with performance of its benchmark index. The index performance does not take into consideration fees, expenses or taxes. The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results. Both the bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.ASIA (2742).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text]

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The bar chart below shows the Fund’s performance for the past 10 years and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund’s volatility and some indication of risk.

Performance Availability Phone [Text]

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800.789.ASIA (2742)

Performance Availability Website Address [Text]

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matthewsasia.com

Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text]

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The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results.

Bar Chart [Heading]

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ANNUAL RETURNS FOR YEARS ENDED 12/31

Bar Chart Closing [Text Block]

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Best Quarter
Q2 2009
23.45%

Worst Quarter
Q1 2009
-17.96%

Highest Quarterly Return, Label

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Best Quarter

Highest Quarterly Return, Date

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Jun. 30, 2009

Highest Quarterly Return

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Lowest Quarterly Return, Label

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Worst Quarter

Lowest Quarterly Return, Date

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Mar. 31, 2009

Lowest Quarterly Return

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Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text]

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(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate

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After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.

Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred

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Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

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AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

MSCI Japan Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

Risk/Return:

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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

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Average Annual Returns, Since Inception

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Average Annual Returns, Inception Date

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Dec. 31, 1998

Investor Class Shares

Risk/Return:

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Maximum Account Fee on Redemptions (for wire redemptions only)

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Management Fees

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Distribution (12b-1) Fees

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Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees

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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

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Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

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Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years

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Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years

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Annual Return 2005

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Annual Return 2006

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Annual Return 2007

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Annual Return 2008

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Annual Return 2009

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Annual Return 2010

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Annual Return 2011

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Annual Return 2012

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Annual Return 2013

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Annual Return 2014

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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

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Average Annual Returns, Since Inception

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Average Annual Returns, Inception Date

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Dec. 31, 1998

Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions

Risk/Return:

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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

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^[1]

Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

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Average Annual Returns, Since Inception

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Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

Risk/Return:

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Average Annual Returns, 1 Year

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Average Annual Returns, 5 Years

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Average Annual Returns, 10 Years

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Average Annual Returns, Since Inception

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[1]

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.