A plasma processing method for performing a plasma process on a substrate to be processed by making a plasma act thereon includes the following sequential steps of making a plasma weaker than one used in the plasma process act on the substrate, applying a DC voltage to an electrostatic chuck for attracting and holding the substrate while the weak plasma acts on the substrate, extinguishing the weak plasma, and performing the plasma process. Further, a plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing mechanism for performing a plasma process on a substrate to be processed, and a controller for controlling the plasma processing mechanism to thereby perform the plasma processing method.