Fig. 2

Selected stages, showing the Paleogeographic evolution of Japan. Detailed description of the different stages is in the text. a: Continental arc stage, before 30 Ma. Subduction of (proto) Pacific plate has formed a large continental arc due to accretion and igneous activity at the margin of SE Asia. The first image already emphasizes the beginning evolution of a new rift system. b: This rifting stage is marked by a change in igneous activity and the onset of sedimentation related to basin evolution at Shimane peninsula. c: Peak rifting stage with the formation of new oceanic crust in the back-arc region and clockwise rotation of SW Japan into its current paleogeographic location (d) (from Kano 2018)