Backlight unit and image display device

A backlight unit capable of controlling a backlight brightness for each of areas, comprising:

• a light source unit;
• and
• a wavelength conversion member that is disposed on an optical path of light emitted from the light source unit,
• wherein the wavelength conversion member includes a wavelength conversion layer including at least a fluorescent body that is excited by excitation light and emits green light and a fluorescent body that is excited by excitation light and emits red light,
• wherein the light source unit includes a light source allocated to each of the areas,
• wherein a control of the backlight brightness for each area is performed by controlling a light emission intensity of each light source allocated to each area independently of a light emission intensity of a light source allocated to a different area, and
• wherein a light source allocated to at least one area includes a light source group including two or more kinds of light sources having different light emission maximum wavelengths, and a light emission intensity of at least one kind of light source included in the light source group is capable of being controlled independently of a light emission intensity of a different light source included in the light source group.