An image processing apparatus, including processing circuitry configured to decode a bit stream to generate quantized data. The bit stream includes a flag, for each block, that specifies whether or not a difference quantization parameter is present in the bit stream. The flag is included in a first layer that is higher than a second layer in which the difference quantization parameter is set. The processing circuitry is configured to set, according to the flag, a current quantization parameter for a current sub block formed by block partitioning, which splits a block into smaller sub blocks. The processing circuitry is configured to inversely quantize the generated quantized data using the set current quantization parameter.