Abstract
We review in this paper the recent trend of active fault studies in Japan. The Japanese Islands, including the continental shelves and slopes surrounding them, form an active tectonic belt. The overall distribution and regional characteristics of Quaternary faults have recently been clarified, and are now being supplemented in detail. Some topics, including the studies of active faults on shallow sea and lake bottoms, the geomorphic and structural evolution of and the surface defromation associated with thrust faults, and the excavation of active faults with or without historic activity, are also reviewed.
