Some individuals with high academic credentials are forced to join the ranks of the unemployed due to mismatching in the labor market. For society, this phenomenon represents a waste of highly talented human resources, while from the perspective of the affected individual, this signifies an unanticipated failure in career development and formation. From this perspective, this study undertakes to investigate and analyze the career development of majors in theoretical physics whose job opportunities are limited to the field of research. This study will identify problems related to persons with high academic credentials that become unemployed on account of their highly specialized training and will seek to formulate proposals and recommendations for addressing this problem.

  Results of the Comprehensive Study on the Formation Process of Lifelong Reading Literacy indicate that persons who do not read any books during the course of a month account for 7% of all elementary school students, 13% of lower secondary school students, 29% of university students, 18% of individuals in their thirties, and 26% of individuals in their fifties. Among all students, the lowest reading ratio is found among university students, while among adults, the ratio of non-readers tends to increase with age. Reduced contact with the printed word lowers verbal ability and proficiency in all age groups and also lowers scholastic ability and interpersonal skills. In recent years, such legislation as the Law for the Promotion of Children's Reading Activities and the Law for the Promotion of Character- and Type-Culture have been enacted and have focused greater attention on reading activities at school, in local communities, and in homes.
  Improvement in verbal ability through reading enhances scholastic ability and improves interpersonal skills. The purpose of this study is to examine the educational impact of reading activities on the improvement of verbal ability in children and adults and on enhancing scholastic ability and improving interpersonal skills.
  As part of its qualitative research, this study undertakes a survey of the results of theoretical research on reading education in Japan and foreign countries, reviews and organizes policies and measures related to reading education and collects related case studies from various schools and communities in Japan. A preliminary survey will also be conducted in elementary and lower secondary schools to examine the correlation between students' level of reading activities and improvements in verbal ability, grades in various classes, and other behavioral characteristics.