In a polarization compensator for converting a polarization state of a lightwave, and a wavelength division multiplexing apparatus using same, a controller of the polarization compensator controls a rotator to orient a polarization plane of an input lightwave to a polarization plane of a reference polarizer. Also, the controller receives an output lightwave from the polarization compensator, of the above-mentioned present invention, which inputs the input lightwave through the rotator and a first ¼ wave plate, through a second ¼ wave plate and a polarizer having the polarization plane set in the reference direction, and the input lightwave is compensated to a linear polarization having the polarization plane of the reference direction based on a received polarization signal. Furthermore, a plurality of polarization compensators and a coupler are connected directly or with a connector so as to prevent the polarization planes of the lightwaves whose wavelengths are adjoining from coinciding with each other, and preferably the polarization compensators and the coupler are connected directly or with connectors so that the polarization planes are orthogonal.