Provided is a method for driving a surface emitting semiconductor laser including an active region that generates light, a resonator structure disposed such that it sandwiches the active region, and a driving electrode that provides power to the active region. The surface emitting semiconductor laser has an internal resistance defined by voltage and current applied to the driving electrode. The method includes applying a modulation signal to the driving electrode, in which the modulation signal has a current amplitude defined by a first current value and a second current value that is greater than the first current value. The modulation signal is in a negative gradient region in which the internal resistance decreases in contrast to the increase of the current.