A tape posture control pole controls widthwise inclination of a tape. When the tape cassette containing the tape has been loaded at a predetermined loading position, a tape posture control pole-moving mechanism advances the tape posture control pole into an indentation formed in the tape cassette. When the tape has been pulled out of the tape cassette through the indentation, the tape posture control pole-moving mechanism moves the tape posture control pole close to a guide pin formed within the tape cassette substantially in parallel to the guide pin. Simultaneously, the tape posture control pole-moving mechanism brings the tape posture control pole into contact with the inner side of the tape which is pulled out of the tape cassette through the tape-takeout section. In this fashion, the tape posture control pole-moving mechanism causes the tape posture control pole to control the widthwise inclination of the tape.