The　J-integral　analysis　is　presented　for　the　interaction　problem　between　a　semi-finite　interface　crack　and　subinterface　matrix　microcracks　in　dissimilar　anisotropic　materials.　After　deriving　the　fundamental　solutions　for　an　interface　crack　subjected　to　different　loads　and　the　fundamental　solutions　for　an　edge　dislocation　beneath　the　interface,　the　interaction　problem　is　deduced　to　a　system　of　singular　integral　equations　with　the　aid　of　a　superimposing　technique.　The　integral　equations　are　then　solved　numerically　and　a　conservation　law　among　three　values　of　the　J-integral　is　presented,　which　are　induced　from　the　interface　crack　tip,　the　microcracks　and　the　remote　field,　respectively.　The　conservation　law　not　only　provides　a　necessary　condition　to　confirm　the　numerical　results　derived,　but　also　reveals　that　the　microcrack　shielding　effect　in　such　materials　could　be　considered　as　a　redistribution　of　the　remote　J-integral.　It　is　this　redistribution　that　does　lead　to　the　phenomenological　shielding　effect.　(C)　2000　Elsevier　Science　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.