A signature generation apparatus capable of preventing transcript attack on signature data is provided. The signature generation apparatus performing a digital signature operation with the use of a signature key: stores the signature key; performs the digital signature operation on signature target data with the use of the signature key to generate signature data; counts the cumulative count of digital signature operations having been performed by the signature generation unit with the use of the signature key; judges whether the cumulative count has reached a predetermined count; and inhibits the use of the signature key in the digital signature operation from then onward in a case where the judgment unit determines that the cumulative count has reached the predetermined count.