A plasma display panel drive circuit assures a sufficient number of subfields in a high resolution panel, is low cost, and is resistant to producing brightness differences. The plasma display panel drive circuit segments plural sustain electrodes into a first sustain electrode group and second sustain electrode group, applies sustain pulses in the sustain period, and includes the following devices: a sustain pulse generating circuit that generates sustain pulses; a specific voltage application circuit that applies a specific voltage to a first electrode path to the first sustain electrode group, and a second electrode path to the second sustain electrode group, at respective specific times; and a separation switch circuit that is connected between the sustain pulse generating circuit and the first electrode path and second electrode path, and electrically isolates the sustain pulse generating circuit from either the first electrode path or the second electrode path.