This study was carried out to investigate change in the polygalacturonase and ${eta}-galactosidase$ activities, pectins, cell wall structure of persimmon fruit during ripening and softening. Polygalacturonase and ${eta}-galactosidase$ activities were not detected at turning stage. However polygalacturonase activities of mature and soft persimmon fruits were 55.01 and 206.70units/100g-fresh weight(fr. wt.), respectively. ${eta}-Galactosidase$ activities of mature and soft persimmon fruits were 21.79 and 380.23unit/100g-fr. wt. respectively. The contents of total and insoluble pectins increased during maturation but decreased during softening. The content of water-soluble pectin increased during maturation and softening. The intercellular space was in larged during ripening, and middle lamella was degraded in mature persimmon fruit, and the cells of soft persimmon fruit were separated each other.