to the east,on the east,in the east的区别

in the east 在.之内的东部.
to the east 在.之外（不紧密相邻）的东部.
on the east 和.相邻的东部.
1. in表示A地在B地范围之内.如：
Taiwan is in the southeast of China.
2. to表示A地在B地范围之外,即二者之间有距离间隔.如：
Japan lies to the east of China.
3. on表示A地与B地接壤、毗邻.如：
North Korea is on the east of China.

例句：Shanghai is in the east of China.
Japane is on the east of China.
Pacific ocean is to the east of China.

on the east一般用于相隔较远，
in the east是说在东面这个范围内，
to the east是两者相临