Image processing apparatus and light distribution control method

An image processing apparatus includes: an image dividing portion configured to divide an image acquired by capturing a view ahead of a vehicle into a plurality of blocks defined according to distances of a plurality of forward areas from the vehicle; a luminance estimation portion configured to, based on image information of the plurality of blocks, estimate a luminance of atmosphere of each of the plurality of forward areas respectively corresponding to the plurality of blocks; and a luminance forecasting portion configured to forecast change of a luminance of atmosphere in an irradiation region capable of being irradiated with light from a headlamp unit, based on the estimated luminance of atmosphere of each of the plurality of forward areas differing from one another in distance from the vehicle.