In a light control element comprising a thin plate having a thickness of 10 [mu]m or less and exhibiting electro optic effect, an optical waveguide formed on the thin plate, and a control electrode for controlling light passing through the optical waveguide, the control electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode so arranged as to sandwich the thin plate, and the first electrode has a coplanar electrode consisting of a first signal electrode and a ground electrode, while the second electrode has a second signal electrode. Modulation signals having mutually inverted amplitudes are inputted to the first signal electrode of the first electrode and the second signal electrode of the second electrode such that the modulation signals cooperate to apply an electric field to the optical waveguide.