Apparatus and method for recording and erasing user data on a recordable optical disc

An information recording apparatus capable of erasing user data recorded on an optical disc that is recordable, the information recording apparatus comprising:

• a first memory which stores synchronization data for updating user data on the optical disc and/or adding user data to the optical disc;
• a second memory which stores erasure information indicating user data to be erased;
• and
• a controller which controls addition, update, and erasure of user data on the optical disc, wherein
• the controller records the synchronization data onto the optical disc,
• after recording the synchronization data, the controller records, onto the optical disc, management information indicating a state of the optical disc on which the synchronization data has been recorded and a state of the optical disc resulting from erasure according to the erasure information,
• subsequently, the controller closes a session, and
• after closing the session, the controller erases the synchronization data stored in the first memory, and physically erases user data to be erased which has been recorded on the optical disc.