A gelled negative electrode contains zinc powder, alkaline electrolyte, and a gelling agent. The specific surface area of the zinc powder is in the range between 0.025 and 0.045 m2/g. The gelling agent contains, as a main component, a cross-linked polymer formed by radical polymerization in a non-benzene solvent, specifically, a cross-linked poly(meth)acrylic acid (or salt) formed by radical polymerization of a (meth)acrylic acid (or slat) in a non-benzene solvent.