dƷəpǽn or dƷӕpǽn

[keannu]

I've always thought that the pronunciation for "Japan" is /dƷəpǽn/, but some people seem to pronounce it as /dƷӕpǽn/, which seems to be influenced by its adjective /dƷæ̀pəní:z/.
What do you think? Doesn't it have to be schwa?

[5jj]

How many dictionaries have you found giving /ӕ/ in the first syllable? How many native speakers have you heard pronouncing it in that way?

[keannu]

I heard it from non-native speakers, especially from Koreans, and even when I heard it from native speakers, it sounded confusing, but as you said, I must have misheard it.

[birdeen's call]

I had to try four times to actually say dƷӕ'pӕn! I don't think I have ever heard this pronunciation.

[aja675]

It's supposed to be pronounced as dƷəpǽn. I mean, just look up any dictionary!

[konungursvia]

Use the schwa on the first vowel. We all do. If you don't you sound like a Peruvian Japanese trying to learn English.