Japonica rice is one of the main grain crops in China, and an important pillar of national food security, the perennial planting area of about 9 million hectares. Seeds are the “chips” of agriculture and the source of food. In recent years, japonica rice production in China has made great development in increasing grain production and increasing income and enriching grain rations. However, the current breeding level is still relatively lagging behind, mainly in the transition stage from 2.0 to 3.0, with long breeding cycle and low efficiency. The genetic diversity of germplasm resources is not enough and the genetic basis is relatively narrow. The problem of original technology being controlled by others is still widespread. Based on the thinking of various aspects of current japonica rice breeding and the main problems, the following breeding ideas were put forward in this paper: in-depth exploration of original functional genes, breakthrough of key core breeding techniques, creation of excellent new germplasm resources, development of major specific new varieties, in order to bring beneficial inspiration to the future japonica rice breeding work, help the revitalization of japonica rice industry, and stabilize the rice bowl in China.