Disclosed is a method for producing an aromatic compound represented by the general formula (2) below, which is characterized in that a compound represented by the general formula (1) below is reacted with a sulfur compound (at least one member selected from the group consisting of sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, metal hydrosulfides and metal sulfides) or a selenium compound. (In the formula (1), R 1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, a nitro group, an ester group, an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms or the like; R 2 represents a halogen atom; R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, C‰¡C-R 1 or R 2 ; and n represents an integer of 0-4. When n is not less than 2, R 3 's may be the same as or different from each other.) (In the formula (2), R 1 , R 3 and n are as defined in the formula (1); and X represents a sulfur atom or a selenium atom.)