To provide a rubber composition for a strip layer between a breaker and a ply, which can enhance heat resistance and particularly suppress hardening degradation of rubber to extend its life without increasing an age resistor in quantity, and to provide a pneumatic tire in which it is used in a strip layer between a breaker and a ply of a tire.

The rubber composition for a strip layer between a breaker and a ply includes a rubber component containing 20 mass% or more of isoprene rubber, silica, and a compound represented by formula (III).