A lighting unit of the present invention includes a light guiding plate (3), a light source (2) disposed so as to face an end face of the light guiding plate, a reflector (4) disposed so as to surround the light source, a housing (6) disposed so as to have a light guiding plate-retaining portion (6a) that retains at least the reflector and is partially interposed between the light source and the end face of the light guiding plate so as to retain the light guiding plate, and a reflecting sheet (5) disposed on one of principal surfaces of the light guiding plate, the lighting unit being configured such that light from the light source enter into the end face of the light guiding plate and goes out from another principal surface of the light guiding plate. The reflecting sheet is disposed so that an edge portion (5a) is bent so as to be positioned between the light guiding plate-retaining portion of the housing and the end face of the light guiding plate.