Provided is a method for producing a ruthenium complex comprises the step of reacting a ruthenium compound represented by general formula (1): [RuX(L)(PP)]X  (1), wherein Ru represents a ruthenium atom; X represents a halogen atom; L represents an arene; and PP represents an optically active bisphosphine, with a carboxylate salt represented by general formula (2): R1CO2M  (2), wherein M represents a monovalent cation; and R1 represents a group selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, haloalkyl groups, phenyl groups optionally having a substituent(s), 1-aminoalkyl groups and 1-amino-1-phenylalkyl groups, to produce a ruthenium complex represented by general formula (3): Ru(OCOR1)2(PP)  (3), wherein R1 represents the group selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups, haloalkyl groups, phenyl groups optionally having a substituent(s), 1-aminoalkyl groups and 1-amino-1-phenylalkyl groups; and PP represents the optically active bisphosphine.