A spread illuminating apparatus includes LEDs as point light sources fixedly mounted on a flexible printed circuit, a light conductor plate having a light inlet surface, a light reflector plate disposed under the light conductor plate, a light absorbing member constituted by a black tape, and a sheet metal case having walls on all four sides and housing the component members described above. An end of the light reflector plate located toward the LEDs is positioned beyond the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate, and recesses are provided at the end of the light reflector plate. A black tape as a light absorbing member is disposed on the outer surface of the light reflector plate along the light inlet surface, and a light absorbing region is formed such that the black tape is exposed through the recess.