A paper feed unit, which is provided with a paper feed roller disposed such that an outer circumferential surface thereof contacts stacked sheets of paper so as to feed each sheet of paper by rotating, a separating pad having elasticity configured to press a sheet of paper being forwarded by the paper feed roller against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller from a side of the sheet of paper opposite to the other side contacting the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, a holder that supports the separating pad, and a biasing device that biases the holder so as to press the separating pad against the outer circumferential surface of the paper feed roller, for separating each sheet of paper from the stacked sheets by the rotation of the paper feed roller in cooperation with the separating pad and thus feeding the sheet of paper.