A data readout device generates decoded data based on a data bit determined by performing a hard-decision on likelihood data. The likelihood data is generated using an iterative decoding method corresponding to a turbo-coding process. The decoding process is performed on a sampled value obtained by sampling a signal read out from a magneto-optical disk at a predetermined sampling period. A reliability determination part detects whether each obtained data bit was obtained from likelihood data within a predetermined range defined with respect to a histogram of log likelihood ratios. When it is detected that a data bit was obtained by a hard-decision on likelihood data within the predetermined range, the data bit is regarded as being obtained by a hard-decision whose reliability is not sufficient. In this way, the error correcting decoder can perform ECC-based decoding operations including loss-correction processes depending on respective reliability-determination results that distinguish reliabilities among respective data bits.