To provide an image carrier deceleration unit which is excellent in durability and forms a high quality image at low cost, by eliminating a rotation change caused by backlash of a gear rotating a photoreceptor, while decreasing gear friction, and to provide an image forming apparatus having the unit.

The unit comprises: a follower shaft 1 which drives the rotary shaft of the image carrier to be connected; a gear train 2 which transmits rotation to the follower shaft 1 while reducing the speed of the rotation; a drive shaft 3 which exerts rotation to the gear 2a of the gear train 2; a liquid lubricant 4 applied to the gear 2a of the gear train 2, thereby making them engage smoothly; and a liquid lubricant vessel 5 for storing the liquid lubricant 4.