To obtain a paint-removing agent, and to provide a method for removing paint from a surface.

This composition is obtained by including at least about 3 wt.% of water and a mixture composed of (A-1) an alkoxybenzene or an alkoxynaphthalene or (A-2) at least one quaternary ammonium salt shown by the formula (R is independently an about 6-12C aliphatic group; X is a halogen) or a mixture of an organic solvent (A) and at least one selected from mixtures (A-3), (A-1), and (A-2).