A secondary battery is comprising an organic electrolytic solution contained in a casing and, disposed therein, a positive electrode comprised of a lithium-containing composite metal oxide as a cathode active material and a negative electrode comprised of a carbonaceous material as an anode active material, wherein the positive and negative electrodes are separated through a separator disposed therebetween and wherein the organic electrolytic solution has a water content of from 5 ppm to 450 ppm.