Provided is a method for reading data from a variable resistance nonvolatile storage element, where the operation for reading data is less susceptible to a fluctuation phenomenon of resistance values in reading the data. The method includes: detecting a current value Iread that flows through the nonvolatile storage element that can be in a low resistance state RL and a high resistance state RH, with application of a fixed voltage; and determining that (i) the nonvolatile storage element is in a high resistance state when the current value Iread detected in the detecting is smaller than a current reference level Iref, and (ii) the nonvolatile storage element is in a low resistance state when the current value Iread detected in the detecting is larger than the reference level Iref, the current reference level Iref being defined by (IRL+IRH)/2