ENGINE CONTROL APPARATUS, AND ENGINE CONTROL METHOD

Provided are an engine control apparatus and an engine control method for enabling a more smooth start after the engine is restarted from idle stop in consideration of the status of preparation for starting on the part of the driver when restarting from idle stop, while using a control unit for restraining driving force. An engine control apparatus (10) is provided with: a start preparation determination unit (74) that determines whether the driver is prepared for starting; and an output control unit (70) that restrains the deriving force of an engine (12) which corresponds to a throttle-opening instructing operation by the driver at the time of starting after the engine (12) is restarted. When the start preparation determination unit (74) determines that the driver is prepared for starting, the output control unit (70) removes the restraint on the driving force of the engine (12).