A moving image decoding apparatus which enables reduction in the memory bandwidth and the memory access latency for the motion compensation filter coefficients for use in inter-picture prediction involving motion compensation using variable coefficients includes: a decoding unit (101) which decodes, from a coded stream, a plurality of motion compensation filter coefficients; a memory (109) for holding the motion compensation filter coefficients included in the coded stream; a filter coefficient storage unit (103) for holding at least one of the motion compensation filter coefficients which is required for the motion compensation; a motion compensation unit (107) which performs motion compensation using the required motion compensation filter coefficient held in the filter coefficient storage unit; and a filter coefficient transfer control unit (102) which writes, in the memory, the motion compensation filter coefficients decoded by the decoding unit, and transfers the required motion compensation filter coefficient from the memory to the filter coefficient storage unit, only when the required coefficient is not yet stored therein.