A flow control apparatus that sends control information to one or more switching node apparatuses, where the control information is assigned to each series of communications performed between terminal devices via the switching node apparatuses. The flow control apparatus includes an effective time setting unit that sets an effective time of the control information based on an elapsed time measured from when the terminal devices which perform the series of communications start a communication via a specific one of the switching node apparatuses, in a manner such that the longer the elapsed time, the longer the effective time; and a sending unit that sends the control information every time when the effective time has elapsed.