Imidazole compounds represented by general formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, and salts thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing same are provided. These compounds are useful in treating the diseases curable based on a hypoglycemic action, and the diseases curable based on a cGMP-PDE inhibitory action, a smooth muscle relaxing action, a bronchodilating action, a vasodilating action, a smooth muscle cell inhibitory action and an allergy inhibitory action.