There is provided a method for producing highly purified fused aromatic ring compounds with high yield by a simpler method. A method for producing a fused aromatic ring compound comprising irradiating the bicyclo compound containing at least one bicyclo ring represented by formula (1) in a molecule with light to detach a leaving group X from a residual part to form an aromatic ring: wherein R1 and R3 each denotes a group to form an aromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring which may be substituted, together with a group to which each thereof is bonded; R2 and R4 each denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an ester group or a phenyl group; and X is a leaving group, which denotes a carbonyl group or --N.dbd.. ##STR00001##