A lithium ion secondary battery having a positive electrode 3 which contains, as a positive electrode active material, a composite metal oxide containing at least one of Li, Co, Mn, and Ni as a metal component thereof; a negative electrode 2 which contains a negative electrode active material; and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt. A charging method is characterized in that constant-current charging is performed with use of a set charging current value of equal to or greater than 0.5C and less than 2C ("C" referred to here is a rated capacity value of said lithium ion second battery).