Positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery

A positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising particles of a lithium transition metal complex oxide represented by the general formula: Li a Ni 1-x-y-z Co x Mn y M' z M" w O 2 wherein 1.00 ¤ a ¤ 1.25, 0 ¤ x ¤ 0.5, 0 ¤ y ¤ 0.5, 0.002 ¤ ¤ 0.01, 0 ¤ w ¤ 0.05, M' is at least one kind of an element selected from W, Mo, Nb and Ta, and M" is at least one kind of an element selected from Zr, Al, Mg, Ti, B and V, and a complex oxide of lithium, and M' exists in the region ranging from an outermost surface of positive electrode active material particles to a depth of about 1 nm in the direction of center.