In the late XX - early XXI centuries the problem of finding resources for the development of the human society is becoming more and more urgent. In previous historical epochs, this problem was solved by capturing the territories of their neighbors by large and powerful states, in modern times through colonial expansion into the countries of the East, the North and the South America. At present times these possibilities have been exhausted, and in the foreseeable future plant and mineral resources will be largely depleted. In these conditions the ruling elites of the leading countries of the world are in their search for development resources focused at revealing the inexhaustible wealth - the intellectual potential of a person. In this context, the creation of a harmonious and efficiently functioning education system of any human society becomes crucial. The purpose of the research is to analyze the basic principles, development stages, the main stages of the educational system of Japan, as well as the main achievements and problems. The article examines not only the structural elements of the Japanese educational system, from preschool institutions to higher educational institutions, but also the ideological background and motivation of both Japanese schoolchildren and students to study hard. Special emphasis is placed on the unshakable principles of Japanese pedagogy and, of course, national cultural traditions.