In article the last achievements of the Japanese developers in the field of laser, electrodischarge, electrochemical, ultrasonic, biological and other nontraditional methods of material machining are considered. Some developments in the field of micro- and nano-technology are shown, the data on a number of the national programs are given, some features of organization of scientific researches at universities and firms of Japan working in the field of development of nontraditional technologies are considered. The article is based on the authors experience of work in Japan as a Visiting Professor of Okayama University in 1999.