Carbon or cobalt, which is used as a conductive agent in an electrode of an alkaline secondary cell, is oxidized by oxygen generated from a positive electrode. The conductive agent degraded by oxidization loses its conductivity through repetitive charge and discharge, resulting in shortening of the cycle life of the cell. In an alkaline secondary cell filled with hydrogen, hydrogen generated from a positive electrode is bound to the hydrogen. This prevents a conductive agent in an electrode from being degraded by oxidization. A cell with excellent cycle life characteristic is thus provided.