Disclosed are a negative electrode for lithium secondary batteries, containing an active material (A) capable of absorbing/desorbing lithium ions and a binder (B), wherein the active material (A) is a carbon-based material obtained from at least one starting material selected from a group consisting of petroleum cokes and coal cokes and having a mean particle size of from 1 to 30 and a true density of from 1.90 to 2.00 g/cm3 and its use; and a method for producing a carbon-based negative electrode active material having a mean particle size of from 1 to 30 μm and a true density of from 1.90 to 2.00 g/cm3, the method comprising (a) a step of grinding at least one selected from a group consisting of petroleum cokes and coal cokes, (b) a step of controlling the particle size, and (c) a step of heat-treating in an inert gas atmosphere at 900 to 1900° C.