A mobile information terminal that can acquire an optimum placement area for a controllable object, regardless of variability in user's gripping features among individuals. A pressure sensor array acquires a gripping pressure distribution; a gripping pressure logger records time-series changes in gripping pressure at each pressure sensor forming the pressure sensor array; a gripping pressure change point detection unit includes a gripping pressure change amount calculation section that acquires time-series changes in gripping pressure at each pressure sensor and determines whether the change in gripping pressure per unit time exceeds a predetermined value at any pressure sensor; and a placement area acquisition section specifies, when the change in gripping pressure per unit time exceeds the predetermined value at any pressure sensor, an optimum placement area for a controllable object with reference to a position where the change in gripping pressure per unit time exceeds the predetermined value.