An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an operations section that operates the image forming apparatus, the operations section being rotatably supported by an apparatus main body; an operations section holding unit that holds the operations section at a predetermined angle with respect to the apparatus main body; an external force detecting unit that detects an external force applied to the operations section in a rotational direction of the operations section; an operations section rotating unit that rotates the operations section in a direction of the external force; and a control unit to activate the operations section rotating unit in response to detection of the external force by the external force detecting unit.