Information is recorded by providing a recording medium having a recording layer on an electroconductive substrate transmitting an electromagnetic wave and an electroconductive optical probe arranged proximate to the recording medium, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the optical probe. The recorded information is read by irradiating an electromagnetic wave, preferably with a plurality of wavelengths, on the recording layer from the substrate side, and detecting with the optical probe an electromagnetic wave oozed out on the surface of the recording layer.