Think, Write, Organize! "Career Exploration Workbook for High School Students Considering Their Future" to Support Proactive Career Choices, E-book Edition Released July 3

Obunsha Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director Hideki Kumegawa), a publisher of educational materials, has released the e-book version of "Career Exploration Workbook for High School Students Considering Their Future," edited by the editorial department of the university entrance exam information magazine "Keisetsu Jidai Special Issue," on July 3 (Fri.). The workbook has also been produced in a limited print run and will be sequentially distributed exclusively to some model schools that have cooperated in developing classes utilizing "Keisetsu Jidai Special Issue."

In today's world where information can be passively consumed via smartphones and university selection can be made somewhat haphazardly, this workbook supports high school students' proactive and satisfying career choices by adopting a worksheet format that encourages them to "think, write, and organize" for themselves.

"Career Exploration Workbook for High School Students Considering Their Future"

Background of Development and Features of This Book

This workbook was developed as a tool to address and supplement the challenges faced in high school career guidance and career education settings. It is designed to leverage Obunsha's rich content, such as the "Keisetsu Jidai Special Issue," published seven times a year, and the university entrance exam information site "Daigaku Juken Pass Navi."

For high school students who tend to choose universities somewhat vaguely, the book systematically outlines the "ideal steps" to move towards concrete career choices, starting with self-understanding and thoroughly grasping one's interests and suitable fields. The highly practical content, condensed into 32 pages, is based on worksheets that have been utilized in actual high school classes and have received high praise from teachers and students. It supports the career exploration of all high school students, from early career choices for 1st and 2nd graders to the creation of personal statements and the planning of exam strategies for 3rd graders.

Flow of the Workbook and Recommended Timing for Engagement

Why is "Career Exploration" Necessary Now?

Currently, the number of students admitted through school recommendation-based and comprehensive selection processes is increasing, particularly at private universities. To articulate "why you want to enter that university," which is invariably asked in personal statements and interviews—the mainstream selection methods for these admission types—deep self-understanding and career exploration are essential. Even for those taking the general entrance exams, to navigate an unpredictable society after graduation, a "university selection that suits oneself," looking beyond graduation, is essential, not just based on exam difficulty (deviation values).

Authentic "Self-Understanding Work" by "Keisetsu Jidai" for Career Choice × "Nippon Manpower" for Career Support

The biggest feature of this book is the inclusion of "self-understanding work" before exploring universities, faculties, and departments. This "self-understanding work" was developed under the supervision of Nippon Manpower Co., Ltd., a pioneer in career support that has produced over 50,000 participants in its "Career Consultant Training Course," with the company also involved in its design and creation. By collaborating Obunsha's "Keisetsu Jidai," strong in university entrance exams and career guidance, with Nippon Manpower, strong in career support, this is authentic and reliable content that allows high school students to deeply understand themselves and discover what is important to them through exploring their values, interests, and abilities. Therefore, this workbook is ideal not only for high school career guidance but also for career education contexts and as an opportunity for parents and children to consider future paths from an early stage.

"Interest Discovery Worksheet" Sample Page

Practical "Career Exploration Work" Developed in Collaboration with "Owner Inc.," Experts in the High School Field

The "career exploration work" that follows self-understanding was developed under the supervision of Owner Inc., a company that develops content and media for high school career exploration classes. This company is well-versed in the high school environment and its challenges, and has collaborated with Obunsha to develop worksheets that bridge Obunsha's abundant career information content from "Keisetsu Jidai" with the challenges in the field of high school career exploration. This practical workbook concretizes the steps necessary for university admission, from exploring faculties and departments and universities to considering personal statements and planning exam strategies for various selection methods, following the worksheets.

Furthermore, related worksheets are equipped with QR codes that provide access to the corresponding pages on "Daigaku Juken Pass Navi." By researching the latest university information and information on occupations and academic fields via tablets or smartphones while working on the exercises, students can explore a path that feels convincing.

"Faculty and Department Exploration Worksheet" Sample Page

"Personal Statement Review Worksheet" Sample Page

E-book Purchase Bonus: Downloadable Worksheets for Printing!

To deliver this workbook, previously only available at some model schools, to a wider audience, it has been digitized. Despite being an e-book, it includes a QR code and password on the back pages for downloading printable data, allowing it to be used as a worksheet. You can print it on your home printer and organize your thoughts by writing directly on it.

【E-book Overview】

Title: Career Exploration Workbook for High School Students Considering Their Future (E-book Edition)

Editor: Obunsha

Publication Date: July 3, 2026 (Fri.)

Price: 1,000 yen (tax included)

Format: 32 pages

Sales Stores: Available for purchase at major online bookstores such as Kindle and Rakuten Kobo.

Purchase the e-book here: https://www.obunsha.co.jp/product/detail/KW2607

*Print edition published on June 29, 2026 (scheduled for limited distribution to career exploration class model schools)

【Company Overview】

Learners are those who change.

People learn to find and challenge not only the problems before them but also life's questions and societal issues.

The world can be changed, little by little, through "learning."

Towards a world where anyone can learn, anytime, anywhere.

We will continue to support learners.

Obunsha Brand Site URL: https://www.obunsha.co.jp/pr/change/

Company Name: Obunsha Co., Ltd.

Representative: Hideki Kumegawa, President and Representative Director

Established: October 1, 1931

Headquarters: 55 Yokotera-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8680

TEL: 03-3266-6400

Business Activities: General publishing and businesses focused on education and information

URL: https://www.obunsha.co.jp/