A pumping circuit includes: a pumping capacitance; a first drive transistor connected between an input node for receiving an input voltage and one terminal of the pumping capacitance; and a second drive transistor connected between an output node for outputting an output voltage and the one terminal of the pumping capacitance. In a charge storing mode, the first drive transistor is turned ON to store charge in the pumping capacitance, while in a charge transfer mode, the second drive transistor is turned ON to transfer the charge stored in the pumping capacitance to the output node. The protection circuit puts at least one of the first and second drive transistors in a high-resistance state in which the resistance value is higher than when the transistor is ON, based on whether the output voltage is higher or lower than a predetermined judgment voltage.