Introduction of elite germplasm is commonly performed in variety development to improve agronomic traits of local varieties. Using pedigree analysis, the objectives of this study were to examine the pedigrees of Japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of Taiwan, and to monitor the involvement of Japanese introductions during variety development. A total of fifty-five Japanese and one Korean introductions were used for cross combinations. Among them, 17 were unrelated to the others. Cluster analysis based on 39 introductions produced 8 groups. Two of the largest groups were closely related and consisted of 18 introductions. The mean coefficient of parentage between 18 introductions was 0.298. These two groups mainly contained Koshihikari and varieties derived from Koshihikari. Both Japanese and Taiwanese varieties with good eating quality were developed from the common source.