A method for producing an aromatic polymer includes polycondensing an aromatic compound represented by formula (I) in the presence of a nickel complex containing a phosphine compound represented by formula (II), wherein, Ar denotes an aromatic ring containing organic group, which aromatic ring may contain an oxygen atom and/or a nitrogen atom; R denotes a monovalent group containing a hydrocarbon group; k is an integer of 1 or more; X denotes an halogen atom, a nitro group or a group represented by —SO3Q, wherein Q denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon group; Y denotes O, S, an imino group, an ethenylene group, or an ethynylene group; n denotes 0 or 1; and M denotes H, —B(OQ1)2, —Si(Q2)3, —Sn(Q3)3 or —Z1(Z2)m, wherein Q1 denotes H or a monovalent hydrocarbon group; Q2 and Q3 denote a monovalent hydrocarbon group; Z1 denotes a metal atom or a metal ion; Z2 denotes a counter ion; and m is an integer of 0 or higher; wherein, R1 denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon group, and R2 denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group.