As a negative electrode active material, carbon materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, non-graphitized carbon, and cork (charcoal) can be used. Further, a negative electrode comprises an active material layer including a group of particulate negative electrode active materials, and nickel is carried on a surface of the active material layer. Examples of a method of carrying nickel on a negative electrode surface include a method by coating, an evaporation method, and a method of bringing nickel ions into existence in a non-aqueous electrolyte to deposit nickel on a negative electrode surface. The amount of nickel added to the non-aqueous electrolyte is not less than 0.0008 mol/1 nor more than 0.007 mol/1.