A backlight apparatus is provided that enables a balance of brightness to be maintained and long life to be achieved over the entire area of a display screen. Light guide plate 130 has upper end surface 132a and lower end surface 132b as inputting surfaces, and principal surface 131 as an outputting surface opposite the rear surface of liquid crystal panel 110. LEDs 140a and 140b are placed in proximity to upper end surface 132a and lower end surface 132b. LED drive circuits 160 supply LEDs 140a and 140b with a current that causes LEDs 140a and 140b to emit light that illuminates liquid crystal panel 110 via light guide plate 130. LED drive circuits 160 supply a lower current to LEDs 140a and 140b placed in proximity to a part having a higher ambient temperature within upper end surface 132a and lower end surface 132b.