The use of の
ほんはつくえのうえにあります。
The book is on the table.
(Source: http://nihongoichiban.com/2011/09/05/grammar-of-places-for-jlpt-n5/)

It is said that "no" is often used as a possessive particle. However, in this case, I do not think it serves the role of a possessive.

Question

The use of の
ほんはつくえのうえにあります。
The book is on the table.
(Source: http://nihongoichiban.com/2011/09/05/grammar-of-places-for-jlpt-n5/)

It is said that "no" is often used as a possessive particle. However, in this case, I do not think it serves the role of a possessive.

Answer

One of its main purposes is for possessive, but it is also used for noun modification. You can kind of think of it as possessive though.

つくえのうえ - means "the top of the desk/table". Or "the table's top". In English the second is not quite natural but it makes sense.