<p>A sheet separation unit 61 is provided with a separation pad 61a arranged in a separation region T2 and allowing a first sheet of a plurality of sheets of paper P to be transported by making contact with a paper feed roller 71 to preferentially pass therethrough over other sheets of the plurality of sheets of paper P; a pickup plate 61c placed on an upstream side of the separation pad 61a and guiding a leading edge portion of a sheet among the plurality of sheets of paper P in a receiving region T1 to a portion between the paper feed roller 71 and the separation pad 61a; and a common unit base 61d holding both the pickup plate 61c and the separation pad 61a.</p>
