[Object] In an apparatus that generates a photoacoustic image and a Doppler image, a frame rate at which a photoacoustic image is generated is maintained high.[Solution] An acoustic wave image generation apparatus (10) for generating a photoacoustic image and a Doppler image is provided with means (26, 34) for setting a region of interest in the Doppler image, and receiving-aperture control means (19, 34) for setting receiving apertures of an acoustic wave detection probe (11) for detecting photoacoustic waves to apertures smaller than all receiving apertures that the acoustic wave detection probe (11) has, on the basis of a size of the region of interest, and for setting positions of the receiving apertures on the basis of a position of the set region of interest.
