A nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery contains an electrode group made up of positive and negative electrode put together with a separator intervening therebetween. The positive electrode includes positive-electrode active material particles each having a base particle composed mainly of nickel hydroxide and a conductive layer that covers the surface of the base particle and is made from a Co compound containing Li. The negative electrode includes a rare earth-Mg—Ni-based hydrogen storage alloy containing a rare-earth element, Mg and Ni. The total amount of Li contained in the battery is in a range of from 15 to 50 (mg/Ah) on the condition that the Li is converted into LiOH, and that the total amount of Li is found as a mass per Ah of positive electrode capacity.