A high-strength sputtering target for forming a protective film for an optical recording medium, obtained by sintering a mixed powder containing, in mol %, 10 to 70% of a zirconium oxide or hafnium oxide and 50% or less (over 0%) of silicon dioxide, and 0.1 to 8.4% of yttrium oxide as necessary, and the remainder containing aluminum oxide, lanthanum oxide, or indium oxide and inevitable impurities, wherein a complex oxide phase of Al6Si2O13, La2SiO5, or In2Si2O7 is formed in a base of the target.