An aromatic dinitrile compound is hydrogenated in an amide solvent in the presence of a solid catalyst and in the absence of ammonia to produce an aromatic ring-containing amino compound by reducing at least one cyano group to aminomethyl group. The solid catalyst is a supported palladium catalyst in which palladium is substantially present on the outer surface of carrier and in a surface layer within a depth of 200 .mu.m from the outer surface. Using such a solid catalyst, the aromatic dinitrile compound is efficiently hydrogenated to the aromatic ring-containing amino compound under mild conditions.