We reviewed studies (based mainly on brachiopods) of the Palaeozoic biogeography of Japan. The data indicate four tectonic events:) during the Silurian-Permian, Proto-Japan was located within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, near North China;) after the late Permian, Proto-Japan was rearranged through large-scale, sinistral strike-slip faulting, probably during the Early Cretaceous to Palaeogene;) Akiyoshi-type limestone basalt blocks were derived from early Carboniferous to middle Permian reef-seamounts in the northern Panthalassa, near Proto-Japan; and) Mino-type limestone-basalt blocks were derived from late Carboniferous to late Permian reef-seamounts in the equatorial Panthalassa, near North America (Texas).