An optical fiber connecting tool for an optical connector which houses a ferule,
a first optical fiber mounted in the ferule and extending from a back end of the
ferule, and a second optical fiber abutted and connected to the first optical fiber.
The optical connector includes a clamping portion, provided at a back portion of
the ferule opposite to a distal end surface for abutment connection and having
half split elements, for maintaining connection between the first optical fiber
and the second optical fiber by clamping the first optical fiber and the second
optical fiber in a space between the half split elements using elastic force of
a spring. The optical fiber connecting tool includes an insertion member for maintaining
a state in which the second optical fiber is insertable into and removable from
the space between the half split elements by being wedged into the space from outside
of the clamping portion so as to expand the space between the half split elements,
and an insertion member operating portion, having a ring shape, for extracting
the insertion member disposed between the half split elements of the clamping portion
from the clamping portion.