A plasma processing apparatus includes: a processing container capable of maintaining an atmosphere having a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure; an evacuation unit reducing a pressure of an interior of the processing container; a gas introduction unit introducing a process gas to the interior of the processing container; a microwave introduction unit introducing a microwave to the interior of the processing container; and a lifter pin ascendably and descendably inserted through a placement platform provided in the interior of the processing container, an end surface of the lifter pin supporting an object to be processed, the object to be processed being supported by the lifter pin at a first position proximal to an upper surface of the placement platform when the microwave is introduced and plasma is ignited, the object to be processed being supported by the lifter pin at a second position after the plasma ignition, the second position being more distal to the placement platform than the first position.