To provide a file management method which can read media of UDF 2.01 or earlier, and is compliant with the UDF 2.50 standard.

The file management method uses a file system having a metadata area for gathering and arranging file system management information. In the file management method, a logical address in the metadata area is converted into a logical address in a physical partition including the metadata area, and files and the file system management information are recorded in accordance with the converted logical address.