IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

An image processing apparatus includes a fluorescence pixel detecting unit, a peripheral pixel analyzing unit, and an image processing unit. The fluorescence pixel detecting unit is configured to detect a fluorescence pixel that has a fluorescent color in a document image. The peripheral pixel analyzing unit is configured to detect consecutive non-fluorescence pixels with no fluorescent colors among peripheral pixels within a predetermined range from the detected fluorescence pixel. The consecutive non-fluorescence pixels is at least a predetermined number of consecutive pixels and has a color difference equal to or less than a predetermined value between one and another of the consecutive non-fluorescence pixels. The image processing unit is configured to perform an emphasizing process of improving visibility for the detected consecutive non-fluorescence pixels.