Magneto-optical recording medium possessing a magnetic assist layer

A magneto-optical recording medium has a configuration such that information recorded can be read from a region smaller than a beam spot by applying an external magnetic field and directing a light beam in reproducing. The magneto-optical recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer for recording and holding information, a magnetic reproducing layer provided on one side of the magnetic recording layer on which the light beam is incident, a nonmagnetic layer provided on another side of the magnetic recording layer opposite to the magnetic reproducing layer, and a magnetic assist layer provided on the nonmagnetic layer. The magnetic assist layer has a coercive force smaller than an external magnetic field applied in recording or reproducing information.