The impact of subject-specific competencies and reading habits on the income of Japanese business and economics graduates

This study empirically examines impacts of subject-specific competencies and reading habits on university graduates' income in Japan. Business and economics graduates during 1996 and 2016 at a research university in Tokyo were surveyed. Path analyses of 677 valid responses from graduates employed in the private sector indicated positive impacts of subject-specific competencies and reading habits on income after graduation, as they are recognized as important to respondents' careers. Thus, when reading habits and subject-specific competencies were relevant to the respondents' careers, they indirectly, positively influenced income. No gender differences were noted in business; sufficient observations were not obtained for economics.