When performing dephosphorization treatment of hot metal by adding a refining agent as a lime source and an oxygen source (dephosphorizing agent(s) and a gaseous oxygen source into the hot metal accommodated in a hot metal holding container, the refining agent used is a refining agent having an Ig-loss value of from 4.0% by mass to 35.0% by mass and including 60% by mass or more of quicklime.