1. A human figure region extraction method for extracting a human figure region in an image, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a face or facial part in the image; determining an estimated region which is estimated to include the human figure region, based on position information of the detected face or facial part; extracting the human figure region in the estimated region; judging whether at least a portion of the extracted human figure region exists in an outline periphery region in the estimated region; extending and updating the estimated region so as to include a near outer region located near the human figure region in the outline periphery region and outside the estimated region, in the case where at least a portion of the human figure region has been judged to exist; and extracting the human figure region in the extended and updated estimated region.