Survey Results Report Employees who insist that “business books are useless” vs. “Bosses who believe in them” The results of a serious investigation on “Book Day, November 1st” were “too surpris

[Survey Results Report] Employees who insist that business books are useless vs. CEOs who believe in them The results of a serious investigation on November 1st, Book Day, were “surprising” ​ Tomorrow Gate Co., Ltd. Press Release: November 1, 2025 To Members of the Media [Survey Results Report] Employees who insist that “business books are useless” vs. “Bosses who believe in them” The results of a serious investigation on “Book Day, November 1st” were “too surprising” ‘Soccer club members can make use of business books, but members of the after-school club cannot.’ ‘Among those who go to drinking parties, those who don’t read business books have an annual income 68,720 yen higher.’ ~Participatory social media campaign also underway~ Today, November 1st, is “Book Day.” The publishing industry has established this day as a time to promote the development of reading culture and to reexamine the “value of learning through books.” To coincide with Book Day, Tomorrow Gate Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kohei Nishizaki) conducted a nationwide survey of 300 people with the support of statistician Chikara Tanaka (Professor at the Faculty of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University). “Are business books really useful?” To answer this question with data, we’ve published the results of a statistical study of the actual state of people who read business books. This experiment, which began with a trivial question, yielded some surprisingly surprising data. Click here for the survey results ​
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“Business books are useless” – An employee who insists vs. a “CEO who believes” The results of a serious investigation on “Book Day” on November 1st were “surprising” Background of the Project In Japan, over 60,000 books are published annually, with an estimated 20,000 of them in the practical and business genres.(*) This means that readers are presented with a vast number of “learning options” every year. How many business books are actually read and lead to results? *According to statistics from the Institute for Publishing Science and the Japan Library Association, the number of books published in 2022 will be approximately 69,000. Of this, the number is expected to be around 20,000, including those in fields such as social science, industry, and practical applications. In the midst of all this, in May 2024, Tomorrow Gate CEO Kohei Nishizaki published his first business book, “Level Zero.” While the book became a hot topic within the company, an employee who had read 200 business books but found none of them useful posed this question: ‘There’s no point in reading business books.’ This comment sparked a debate: “Are business books really useful?” With the help of Riki Tanaka, a professor and statistician at Ritsumeikan University’s College of Business Administration, we designed and compiled a 50-question survey of 300 people nationwide and conducted a unique statistical analysis. An employee claimed that business books were useless, versus a president who believed they were useful. With both sides putting their determination and data on the line, a “serious verification project” began. Survey summary and results ■Survey Overview ・Survey Target: 300 men and women aged 15 and over nationwide ・Survey Period: September 2, 2025 – Survey method: Internet survey (Cross Marketing QiQUMO) – Cooperation: Mr. Riki Tanaka, Specially Appointed Professor, College of Business,
Ritsumeikan University – Number of questions: 50 (occupation, club activities, personality, reading habits, annual income, etc.) ■ Results (Partial Excerpt) ●42% of people found business books “helpful” Surprisingly, the results were “less than half.” However, there were many who were “unsure,” revealing that the results vary greatly depending on how the book is read and used. ●The factor that increases annual income is not “how many books you can read” but “how many times you reread them.” The average annual income of people who “read business books quickly and repeatedly” is 9.23 million yen. On the other hand, the average annual income of people who “only read once” is 4.27 million yen. It appears that reading speed and repetition ability may be directly linked to results. ●Soccer club members can make use of business books, but after-school club members cannot Statistical results show that members of sports clubs are more likely to say that business books are “useful.” In particular, it can be assumed that soccer club members’ flexible decision-making and teamwork skills are easily applicable to business. ●Among people who go to drinking parties, those who don’t read business books have an annual income 68,720 yen higher. Surprisingly, among people who “attend drinking parties at least once a month,” those who don’t read business books score higher on the “I’m proud of my work” scale. Whether you’re “learning through reading” or “learning from seniors at drinking parties,” the essence of learning is the same—just the means of gathering information are different.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/97004/32/97004-32-09f19993eb3fe659c4fd0c102c859b77-640×349.png “Are Business Books Really Useful?” Survey Results ■Conclusion: Business books are only useful for people who can believe in them and take action. After completing his research, Ogawa had this to say: ‘It’s not that business books aren’t useful, it’s that they just don’t try to make them useful.’ Statistical results revealed a tendency for “people who are able to accept things honestly and act on them tend to achieve better results.” The professor also commented, “Behind the numbers lies human behavioral psychology.” In other words, “Believe and try before you doubt”—that may be the secret to getting the most out of business books. Click here for the survey
results ​ “SNS Campaign” Combining Statistics and Business Currently Underway The survey data from this survey will be published on the official website of the business book “Level Zero” and through the X Campaign. We’re also planning a new campaign,
“#AreBusinessBooksUseful?”, which combines statistics and business. 1. We’ll treat you to a sushi dinner if you think you can make the most of a business book (Limited to one person) ・Application period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) 7:00 to November 7, 2025 (Fri) 23:59 ・Result announcement: Until Friday, November 14, 2025 ・Qualifications: Those who fit the attributes identified in the survey that make the most use of business books [member of the soccer club in school, graduated from a science department at a university with an academic ability score of 60-65, and are in their 20s] and who have posted a post with the hashtag “Are business books useful?” or a quote/reply to Nishizaki’s X post stating that they fit the criteria. ・Benefit: One lucky winner will be selected from among those who meet all conditions. 2. We’ll treat you, a social media lover, to a delicious sushi meal (limited to one winner) ・Application period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) 7:00 to November 7, 2025 (Fri) 23:59 ・Result announcement: Until Friday, November 14, 2025 ・Conditions: Post with “Are Business Books Useful?” or “Quote Repost/Reply” to Nishizaki’s X post ・Benefits: The winner who meets all conditions and receives the most likes 3. Free lunch invitation (limited to 10 people) Application period: November 1, 2025 (Sat) 7:00 AM – November 7, 2025 (Fri) 11:59 PM ・Results will be announced by Friday, November 14, 2025 ・Conditions: Posts tagged with “Are Business Books Useful?” Or those who “quoted/reposted/replied” to Nishizaki’s X post ・Benefit: Those who meet all conditions and receive the 2nd to 11th most likes
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/97004/32/97004-32-c1a3bd97a586b43d3fceb611a9f56108-900×1066.png “SNS Campaign” Combining Statistics and Business Comment from Representative Director Kohei Nishizaki
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/97004/32/97004-32-40884fb92ad376910c602d0987e21a9f-1598×1999.jpg Kohei Nishizaki, Representative Director, Tomorrow Gate Co., Ltd. I believe the essence of business books is not “learning” but “action.” No matter how many great words you know, nothing will change unless you actually take action. That’s why it made sense to me that this survey showed that “people who are able to take action are more likely to achieve results.” I hope that these results will inspire more people to “go beyond just reading.” I also hope that this will lead to an update on the way we read business books. Comment from statistician Tsutomu Tanaka (Specially Appointed Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, Ritsumeikan University)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/97004/32/97004-32-729630ec1209026c6c054767500b882d-1598×1999.png Statistician Chikara Tanaka (Professor, College of Business, Ritsumeikan University) Behind every statistical number is a human being. Statistics is not simply a science that deals with data; it is a tool for unraveling human behavior and emotions, asking, “Why does this happen?” This survey visualized the extent to which people’s “sincerity” and “behavioral habits” affect results through the familiar theme of business books. It’s fascinating to see such a human story revealed through numbers. “Data is not cold; depending on how it’s used, it can reveal the human heart.” I applaud these researchers for conveying the fascinating power of statistics. Book information
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/97004/32/97004-32-d40829acaa82a2bfa798100afc20ecc0-303×445.jpg Level Zero: A Work Textbook for Continuing to Exceed Your Own Limits ・Book title: Level Zero: A Work Textbook for Continuously Exceeding Yourself ・Author: Kohei Nishizaki (CEO, Tomorrow Gate Co., Ltd.) ・Release date: May 2024 ・Publisher: KADOKAWA ・Price: ¥1,760 (tax included) ・Available at: Bookstores nationwide, Amazon, etc. ・Purchase from: https://amzn.asia/d/5FT50JD Contact for inquiries regarding this matter Interviews with the company’s representative and planning staff are available. For more information, please contact our public relations department. Tahara, Public Relations Officer, Tomorrow Gate Co., Ltd. ・Phone: 06-7167-3950 ・Email: open@tomorrowgate.co.jp Company information Tomorrow Gate Inc. With a focus on “branding” that maximizes a company’s appeal, the company strategically supports over 400 companies nationwide with logic and design. The company also focuses on social media with the catchphrase “Black Company,” and has a total of over 710,000 followers across the company. ・Established: April 1, 2010 ・Capital: 45 million yen – Number of employees: 43 (as of July 2025) – Offices: Osaka Head Office (〒542-0086 (2nd floor, Annie’s Building, 1-6-32 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka) Tokyo Branch (8th floor, MA Building Shiba III ANNEX, 5-13-11 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014) ・Business Description: Corporate branding, kitchen services, office branding ・Official website:
https://tomorrowgate.co.jp/ ・YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@koheinishizaki
・X：https://x.com/koheinishizaki
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