1. An image processing apparatus for processing a plurality of input color image signals, comprising: an edge discrimination section which discriminates whether or not each pixel in each of the above input image signals is an edge portion; a brightness classification section which classifies brightness values of pixels in the input image signals by comparing the brightness values with a predetermined value; a pixel counting section which counts the number of noticed pixel in accordance with a discrimination result of the edge discrimination section and a classification result of the brightness classification section in a predetermined peripheral area; and a white-ground-region discrimination section which discriminates that the noticed pixel is included in a white background area by comparing the number of pixels counted by the pixel counting section with a predetermined threshold value.