To provide a process for manufacturing a connector component for optical communication using a rod-like ceramic sintered compact in which the process time is shortened.

The process is characterized by combining a stabilizer, a sintering aid and the like with a starting material and molding a raw material of a preform having a binder added thereto into the form of the rod-like shape, drying the molding in the drying step, and then firing the same in the firing step utilizing the internal exothermic action of the compact to be sintered by means of a microwave as a heating source.