The invention provides a component placing apparatus and a method for placing a component. A lower surface of a center region of a board is held by a board holding table, and a lower surface of an endregion (region in which a component placing region is provided) of the board is supported by a backup table. After the board holding table is moved together with the backup table and the component placing region is positioned at a working position, the placing head presses the component from above to the component placing region to place the component on the board. Meanwhile, a suction mechanismsucks an end region of the board which is supported by the backup table through a plurality of suction ports opened to an upper surface of the backup table.