It has been 25 years since publication of the most recent English language summary of the geology of Japan. This book offers an up-to-date comprehensive guide for those interested both in the geology of the Japanese islands and geological processes of island arcs in general. It contains contributions from over 70 different eminent researchers in their fields and is divided into 12 main chapters.

Characterizes the geology of Japan by describing the large scale construction of each geotectonically defined terrane and mass, and tracing the geotectonic history of the island chain. Also considers the submarine topography and geology around the islands, and ore deposits in relation to igneous act