Why does the location of Japan make it so susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis?

Question:

This is for an *research* paper, not trying to cheat.
Thank you so much. I owe TEN points to FIRST best answer
;)
-Chaya

Answer:

It's very near to a tectonic rift, the place where plates of the earth's crust meet. As the plates grind together, it creates earthquakes and underwater earthquakes create tsunamis.