Provided is a near-infrared shielding coating agent containing: (1) an inorganic near-infrared absorbing agent; (2) a tetrafunctional silicon compound represented by general formula Si(OR1)4, a hydrolysate thereof, and/or a condensation polymerization product thereof; (3) a trifunctional silicon compound represented by general formula R2Si(OR3)3, a hydrolysate thereof, and/or a condensation polymerization product thereof; (4) a silane coupling agent represented by one of the general formulas Si(X)3—Y or R4Si(X)2—Y, a hydrolysate thereof, and/or a condensation polymerization product thereof; and (5) a solvent. This coating agent allows the formation, at an ordinary temperature between 5° C. and 40° C., of a near-infrared shielding film that has a high film hardness and is not prone to cracks.