Low intake of animal protein as a whole, high intake of marine products compared to livestock, high intake of edible oil as a whole and strong influence of traditional taste preference, characterize the present food consumption pattern in Japan. These characteristics are considered to be rational and ideal from the nutritional point of view. The demand for soybeans has increased for the past decade in spite of a noticeable dependence upon imported soybeans. In Japan soybeans are processed to supply a wide variety of sophisticated foods, both traditional and modern.