The character input apparatus comprises: character selecting means for outputting a signal corresponding to a desired character among a plurality of candidate characters arranged in a prescribed order; selection determining means for determining selection of a character associated with the signal outputted from the character selecting means; and display means for displaying an inputted character string. Also, the character input apparatus further comprises display control means for exercising control of display such that a candidate character is displayed at a prescribed display area of display means in response to the signal sent from the character selecting means, and that the respective characters having been displayed in the display areas are shifted and displayed when selection of a character out of the candidate characters is determined by the selection determining means.