An electroencephalogram IF system includes an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal, a function control section for analyzing an event-related potential contained in the electroencephalogram signal and outputting a function control signal for controlling a function of a device based on the result of analysis, and an output section for outputting the function control signal. The activation apparatus includes: an activation determination section for, while the electroencephalogram IF system is not functioning, transmitting to the output section a stimulation control signal for controlling presentation and vanishing of a visual stimulation on a single-item on the output section and, within the electroencephalogram signal acquired from the electroencephalogram measurement section, allowing a P200 component value of an event-related potential since the timing of presenting the visual stimulation as a starting point to be compared against a predetermined threshold value, and determining whether or not to output an activation trigger to the function control section based on the result of comparison; and a stimulation attention determination section for determining whether or not the user is paying attention to the visual stimulation based on an N100 component of the event-related potential since the timing of presenting the visual stimulation as a starting point, and causing processing by the activation determination section to begin depending on the determination result. When the activation determination section outputs an activation trigger, the electroencephalogram IF system is activated.