In a process for producing polyarylene sulfide, comprising: reacting an alkali sulfide source and an aromatic dihalide compound in a polar organic solvent to obtain a polymerizate slurry containing polyarylene sulfide particles, by-produced alkali metal salt fine particles and the polar organic solvent, and recovering the polyarylene sulfide particles washed from the polymerizate slurry; the polymerizate slurry is separated by sieving into the polyarylene sulfide particles and a slurry containing the alkali metal salt fine particles, and the separated polyarylene sulfide particles are subjected to a washing step wherein the polyarylene sulfides are introduced into a countercurrent washing apparatus enclosing a movable part and subjected therein to continuous countercurrent contact with a washing liquid. As a result, polyarylene sulfide particles of good quality are produced at a good yield, while pursuing process rationalization.