* The Eurasian Plate: This plate forms the majority of the Eurasian continent and extends eastward into the Pacific Ocean.

* The Philippine Sea Plate: This smaller oceanic plate lies to the southeast of Japan.

* The North American Plate: This plate extends westward from the Americas and includes parts of the Pacific Ocean floor.

* The Pacific Plate: This massive oceanic plate covers a large portion of the Pacific Ocean.

Japan sits on the western edge of the Pacific Plate, where it meets the Eurasian, Philippine Sea, and North American Plates. This complex intersection is responsible for the country's active volcanism and frequent earthquakes.