In an image processing apparatus, a character recognizing unit identifies a character image in a document image. A font matching unit determines a character code and a font type corresponding to the identified character image. A fore-and-background setting unit sets the document image as a background image and sets a standard character image based on the determined character code and the determined font type. A background image correcting unit (a) deletes a deletion area in the background image, the deletion area taking a same position as the character image or the standard character image, (b) interpolates a differential area between the character image and the standard character image in a specific neighborhood area that contacts with the deletion area on the basis of the background image, and (c) interpolates the deletion area on the basis of the back ground image.