An intermediate electrode (18) is formed in a space between an X display electrode (2) and a Y display electrode (3) parallel thereto. Metal barrier ribs (16) held between a front substrate and a back substrate define cells. The intermediate electrode (18) and the metal barrier ribs (16) are grounded and are used as anodes. One of the cells having surfaces coated with fluorescent layers (10), respectively, is selected by driving an address electrode (7) and the Y display electrode (3), and the Y display electrode (3) in the selected cell is charged with a wall charge. A negative voltage is applied to the Y display electrode (3) to use the Y display electrode as a cathode. A charge is stored between the Y display electrode (3) and the intermediate electrode (18) to create an electric field. Upon the increase of the intensity of the electric field to a sufficiently high level, an instant discharge occurs between the Y display electrode (3) and the X display electrode (2) and intense ultraviolet rays are produced. The fluorescent layer (10) excited by the ultraviolet rays emits visible light. Only a narrow pulse current flows through the X display electrode (2) and the Y display electrode (3), so that power consumption can be suppressed at high emission efficiency. Thus, the present invention can realize a reduction in power consumption while maintaining high emission efficiency.