A negative electrode material for use in a lithium-ion battery is obtained by a method comprising subjecting a carbon particle (B) comprising a graphite material or the like to surface treatment with an oxidizing agent and then removing a residue of the oxidizing agent, modifying the carbon particle (B) from which the residue of the oxidizing agent has been removed with a silane coupling agent, modifying a particle (A) comprising an element capable of occluding and releasing a lithium ion, such as a Si particle, with a silane coupling agent, linking the modified carbon particle (B) and the modified particle (A) via a chemical bond, and coating a composite particle comprising the particle (A) and the carbon particle (B) linked to the particle (A) via a chemical bond with carbon.