Major categories of changes in food consumption patterns in Japan 1963–91

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to categorize the major trends in Japanese food consumption patterns, and evaluate quantitatively the relative significance of each category in the period 1963–1991. Detailed examination of changes in per capita consumption of more than 100 individual food items for five sub‐periods led to the identification of four major categories or trends: quality, convenience, diversification, and health.

About 80% of cases fall under one of those four categories. In the first sub‐period, the trend towards foods of higher quality was the most important category, accounting for about 40% of all cases. Later, however, it gradually lost its relative significance. The lost share was taken over by diversification and the trend towards healthy foods. The trend towards more convenient types of food invariably accounted for about one‐third of all examined cases.

The analysis of the factors which induced these categories of changes led to the conclusion that incomes and prices decreased their influence over the food consumption patterns while sociological factors increased their significance.