A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion rechargeable battery having high electrode density, excellent in permeability of an electrolyte, less in capacity loss due to charging/discharging, and excellent in cycle performance is provided at a low cost. The negative electrode active material is a mixture of three kinds of graphite powders having different hardnesses and shapes from one another, with a binder added thereto and is coated onto a metallic current collector to be dried and pressed, thereby rendering an electrode density not lower than 1.7 g/cm3.