Prone to Disaster

Japan is a hot spot for hazards, and considering where it's located it's no wonder why.  Located near major tectonic plate boundaries situated in the Pacific ring of fire; a ring of volcanoes lining the Pacific Ocean as a result from the subduction of the Oceanic plates beneath the lighter continental plates. The ring of fire is home to 75% of the world's volcanoes, 10% which are found in Japan alone and an epicenter for Earthquake activity.  

                                                   world's most active earthquake belt

Pacific Ring of Fire (Not actually on fire)

Japan is spread across four tectonic plates, the Pacific plate, the Philippine plate, the North American plate and the Eurasian plate.  The Japanese Islands are situated in a subduction zone in the northwestern margin of the Pacific Ocean where the Pacific Plate and Philippine Sea Plate are subducting.  

The four plates

Nishiwaki,  Hirotoshi "Introduction to the Landforms and Geology of Japan" 2009 http://www.glgarcs.net/ 

Keller, Edward A. DeVecchio, Duane E. Natural Hazards:New Jersey. Pretence Hall, 2012. Thired Edition