A nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery with improved storage properties at high temperatures and excellent reliability, and a method for producing the battery are provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte primary battery includes a negative electrode containing metallic lithium or a lithium alloy, a positive electrode, a separator, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains at least LiClO4 as an electrolyte and 0.1 to 5% by mass of LiB(C2O4)2.