Jiangsu is the most important major production area of japonica rice in Southern China. The application of soft, fragrant, semi-glutinous and delicious japonica rice cultivars have promoted the development of high-quality rice industry in Jiangsu Province and surrounding areas. From 1982 to 2023, a total of 752 rice varieties were approved in Jiangsu Province. The basic characteristics of these 752 varieties were analyzed, and the results showed that the yield of approved rice varieties in Jiangsu Province has steadily increased in recent years, mainly due to an increase in the number of grains per panicle. In addition, the taste quality and the appearance quality, especially the head rice rate, have been significantly improved, and the resistance to bacterial blight has been decreased.