To provide near-infrared-absorbing particles which have a high transmittance in the visible light region and a low transmittance in the near infrared region and which, when incorporated, can give a near-infrared-absorbing coating film wherein the transmittance sharply changes in the wavelength range of from 630 to 700 nm; a process for their production; and their dispersion. Near-infrared-absorbing particles consisting essentially of crystallites of A1/nCuPO4 and having a number average aggregated particle size is from 20 to 200 nm, wherein A is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs), alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) and NH4, and n is 1 when A is an alkali metal or NH4, or 2 when A is an alkaline earth metal.