A moving picture coding apparatus divides each frame of a moving picture into parts and assigns the parts to different coding units, which compressively code their respective parts. The coding process includes motion compensation with respect to a reference frame. Each coding unit has its own reference frame memory. To generate reference frame data, each coding unit receives, decodes, and decompresses the coded data generated by at least one other coding unit, as well as decompressing the data it has coded itself. Consequently, only ordinary coded data have to be passed between different coding units, which saves bandwidth and eliminates the need for special coding hardware and development and testing tools.