In the present study, we investigated conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) concentrations in the adipose tissues from carcasses of Japanese Black fattening steers and was correlated with the roughage intake. Subcutaneous, intermuscular and peninephric fats were collected from 8 Japanese Black fattening steers with mean body weight of 670±79kg. The animals were fed with concentrate and chopped rice straw ad libitum for 11 months, from 15 to 26 months of age. Conjugated linoleic acid concentrations in subcutaneous, intermuscular and perinephric fats were 0.44, 0.34 and 0.25%, respectively. The difference in mean CLA concentrations among the adipose tissues was significant (P<0.01). The coefficients of correlation between the percentages of CLA in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat was 0.897 (P<0.01), in subcutaneous and perinephric fat was 0.680, and in intermuscular and perinephric fat was 0.643. The correlations between the proportion of the roughage to the total feed consumed and CLA concentrations in the subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and perinephric fat were 0.761 (P<0.05), 0.658 and 0.393, respectively. Roughage intake was significantly correlated with CLA concentrations in the subcutaneous fat. Relatively higher percentage of CLA was obtained in the subcutaneous fat of the beef cattle which had higher intake of fibrous feed. Results suggest that feeding management of beef cattle should be geared towards higher proportion of fibrous dietary intake to increase CLA, which is beneficial.