Relative germination percentage, relative germination rate, and relative germination index were studied using P1, P2, and 350 lines of a RIL population from the japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. japonica) cross of Bing 8979/C Bao. By means of mixed major gene plus polygene inheritance models, genetic analysis showed that relative germination percentage, relative germination rate, and relative germination index were controlled by two major genes plus polygenes. Both major genes and polygenes showed additive-epistatic effects. The additive effects were larger than epistatic effects in the two major genes. The heritability of major genes was larger than that of polygenes in all the three traits, indicating that the three traits investigated in the present study were mainly governed by major genes.