Provided is a Li-solid-solubilized α-SiAlON phosphor containing Li+ as solid solubilized for stabilization of the structure that is higher in luminous efficiency than before and a light-emitting element and a lighting device comprising the same.The (Li and Eu)-containing α-SiAlON crystal has a Li content of 1.8 to 3 mass %, an Eu content of 0.1 to 1.5 mass % and an average particle diameter, as determined by laser diffraction/scattering method, of 7 to 35 μm. The phosphor is used in the light-emitting element and the lighting device.