A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a laminate having ceramic
layers
and internal electrodes stacked alternately one on another, and at least one kind
of metal oxide between respective one of the ceramic layers and corresponding one
of the internal electrodes. A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic electronic
component includes a first step of stacking ceramic sheets and metal layers alternately
one on another to fabricate a laminate and a second step of firing the laminate.
Respective one of the metal layers has, on the surface of a sheet-like first metal,
a second metal more susceptible to oxidation than the first metal. The second step
is performed at an oxygen partial pressure at which the first metal is hardly oxidized
and the second metal is oxidized.