Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery, in which the negative electrode is constituted by a hydrogen absorbing alloy capable of absorbing/desorbing hydrogen electrochemically, and a hydrophobic material is provided in the space between the surface of the negative electrode and the separator while a hydrophilic material is provided in the inside of the negative electrode, thereby properly secure both wetting property and surface hydrophobic property of the negative electrode against the alkaline electrolytic solution. Accordingly, a hydrogen gas generated in charging the battery can be absorbed by a vapor phase reaction in the hydrophobic portion in the surface of the negative electrode which is exposed to the vapor phase and can be absorbed electrochemically in the portion of the negative electrode which is wetted by the electrolytic solution, so that the inner pressure of the battery can be reduced to thereby make it possible to perform quick charging.