Disclosed is a lithium titanate that, when used as a positive electrode active material in a lithium secondary battery having a metallic lithium negative electrode, provides a discharge capacity at a discharge rate of 30C that is at least 75% of the discharge capacity at a discharge rate of 0.25C. The disclosed lithium titanate can be obtained by drying, and then firing in an inert atmosphere, a slurry that contains, at least, a lithium compound, a titanium compound, a surfactant, and a carbon material. Said lithium titanate is useful as an active material in a lithium secondary battery with excellent battery characteristics, particularly rate characteristics.