A processor includes an instruction executing unit which executes a memory access instruction, a cache memory unit disposed between a main memory which stores data related to the memory access instruction and the instruction executing unit, a control information retaining unit which retains control information related to a prefetch issued to the cache memory unit, an address information retaining unit which retains address information based on the memory access instruction executed in the past, and a control unit which generates and issues a hardware prefetch request. The control unit compares address information retained in the address information retaining unit and an access address in the memory access instruction executed, and generates and issues based on a comparison result a hardware prefetch request to the cache memory unit according to the control information of the control information retaining unit specified by specifying information added to the memory access instruction.