A drive apparatus for a backlight unit comprising groups of LED (Light Emitting Diode) elements where the plural LED elements are connected in series and every three primary colors are arranged at different portions (4,4-1,4-2), the drive apparatus comprising: independent LED drive circuits respectively provided one by one at individual groups of light emitting diodes signal generating means operable to generate a light emission signal of the groups of the LED elements; drive means operable to drive the groups of the LED elements on the basis of the signal which has been generated by the signal generating means; voltage applying means operable to apply a voltage to the groups of the LED elements, light emission quantity detecting means operable to detect quantities of rays of light which are emitted from the groups of the LED elements to which the voltage has been applied; temperature detecting means operable to detect temperature or temperatures of the groups of the LED elements; and control means operable to control the drive means to control light emission output in correspondence with the respective groups of the LED elements which have been arranged on the basis of light emission quantities which have been detected by the light emission quantity detecting means and the temperature or temperatures which has or have been detected by the temperature detecting means, amplitude adjustment means for adjusting the amplitude of a constant current value flowing in the groups of the LED elements in accordance with the temperature or temperatures which has or have been detected by the temperature detecting means, wherein the control means is operable to control the amplitude adjustment means along with the signal generating means connected thereto to control light emission output of the groups of the LED elements, wherein the amplitude adjustment means performs pulse amplitude modulation to adjust a peak of said constant current value so that adjustment widths of pulse width modulated signals delivered to respective groups of LEDs are substantially uniform, whereby said amplitude adjustment means performs said pulse amplitude modulation to correct light emission output balance variation in dependence upon said temperature or temperatures and said signal generating means performs said pulse width modulation to adjust white balance. independent LED drive circuits respectively provided one by one at individual groups of light emitting diodes signal generating means operable to generate a light emission signal of the groups of the LED elements; drive means operable to drive the groups of the LED elements on the basis of the signal which has been generated by the signal generating means; voltage applying means operable to apply a voltage to the groups of the LED elements, light emission quantity detecting means operable to detect quantities of rays of light which are emitted from the groups of the LED elements to which the voltage has been applied; temperature detecting means operable to detect temperature or temperatures of the groups of the LED elements; and control means operable to control the drive means to control light emission output in correspondence with the respective groups of the LED elements which have been arranged on the basis of light emission quantities which have been detected by the light emission quantity detecting means and the temperature or temperatures which has or have been detected by the temperature detecting means,