A photoacoustic image generation apparatus includes: a puncture needle having a photoacoustic wave generation portion； a probe that detects photoacoustic waves generated from the photoacoustic wave generation portion and reflected acoustic waves reflected by transmission of acoustic waves to the subject； a photoacoustic image generation unit that generates a photoacoustic image on the basis of the photoacoustic waves； an ultrasound image generation unit that generates a reflected acoustic image on the basis of the reflected acoustic waves； a tip position detection unit that detects the position of the tip of the puncture needle included in the photoacoustic image； and a measurement unit that measures a distance between a measurement point on the reflected acoustic image and the position of the tip of the puncture needle detected on the photoacoustic image.
