＜Upper-Intermediate＞ Lesson No.13
Explaining Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Costs and Financial Impact / 原子力発電所の廃炉費用と財務影響の説明
０．Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)｜挨拶と導入
0-1 Greetings
Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.
講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。
[Tips / 会話のヒント]
・Can you hear me clearly?
私の声はクリアに聞こえますか？
・How's your day going so far?
今日はどんな一日でしたか？
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)
軽い話題について話しましょう（仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど）
0-2 Introduction
In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?
本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか？
- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.
経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。
- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.
What do you think would be challenging?
経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか？
Situation / シチュエーション
This is a situation where decommissioning cost estimates for aging nuclear power plants and their financial impact are explained in detail to overseas investors.
老朽化した原子力発電所の廃炉費用見積もりと財務への影響について、海外投資家に詳細に説明する場面です。
1. Read (2 min)｜型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう！
1-1 Basic phrases
１．Let me explain our decommissioning plan...（廃炉計画について説明させてください）
２．We have already accumulated...（すでに...を積み立てています）
３．We assessed this plan carefully to...（この計画を慎重に評価して...）
４．We calculated the annual provision based on...（年次引当金を...に基づいて計算しました）
５．We will monitor progress closely and...（進捗を綿密に監視して...）
６．We anticipate a minimal rate increase of...（...のわずかな料金上昇を見込んでいます）
７．We are pursuing cost reduction initiatives in...（...でコスト削減施策を追求しています）
1-2 Essential words
１．estimate（見積もる）
２．allocate（配分する）
３．gradually（徐々に）
４．minimize（最小限に抑える）
５．accumulated（積み立てた）
６．assessed（評価した）
７．monitor（監視する）
８．disclose（開示する）
９．anticipate（見込む）
１０．mitigate（軽減する）
2. Try (3 min)｜ロールプレイ練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
This is a situation where decommissioning cost estimates for aging nuclear power plants and their financial impact are explained in detail to overseas investors.
老朽化した原子力発電所の廃炉費用見積もりと財務への影響について、海外投資家に詳細に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Thank you for taking the time today. I'd like to understand the financial impact of the decommissioning decision for your aging nuclear plant. Could you walk me through the cost estimate and how it will affect shareholder returns?
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。老朽化した原子力発電所の廃炉決定による財務への影響について理解したいと思います。費用見積もりと株主還元への影響について説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
Certainly. Let me explain our decommissioning plan in detail. First, the total cost is estimated at 450000 USD over a 30-year period. Second, we will allocate approximately 15000 USD annually to our decommissioning reserve fund. Third, this gradual approach will minimize the impact on electricity rates and maintain our dividend policy.
（承知しました。廃炉計画について詳しく説明させてください。第一に、総費用は30年間で450000米ドルと見積もられています。第二に、毎年約15000米ドルを廃炉引当金に計上します。第三に、この段階的なアプローチにより、電気料金への影響を最小限に抑え、配当政策を維持します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I appreciate the breakdown. However, I'm concerned about the reserve fund status. Have you already accumulated sufficient funds, or will this create additional financial pressure in the near term?
（内訳をありがとうございます。しかし、引当金の状況が気になります。すでに十分な資金を積み立てているのでしょうか、それとも近い将来に追加の財務圧力が生じるのでしょうか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
That's a critical question. We have already accumulated 180000 USD in our decommissioning reserve, which covers 40 percent of the total estimated cost. The remaining amount will be funded through annual provisions without imposing significant burden on our operating cash flow. We assessed this plan carefully to ensure financial stability.
（それは重要な質問です。すでに廃炉引当金として180000米ドルを積み立てており、これは総見積費用の40パーセントをカバーしています。残りの金額は年次引当金を通じて賄われ、営業キャッシュフローに大きな負担を課すことはありません。財務の安定性を確保するため、この計画を慎重に評価しました。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I see. But what about the annual cost allocation? Will the 15000 USD per year remain consistent, or could it escalate if unexpected issues arise during the decommissioning process?
（なるほど。しかし年間費用の配分についてはどうでしょうか？年間15000米ドルは一定のままでしょうか、それとも廃炉作業中に予期しない問題が発生した場合に増加する可能性がありますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
We calculated the annual provision based on conservative assumptions and included a 10 percent contingency buffer for unforeseen circumstances. If actual costs remain within our estimate, we may even reduce the annual allocation in later years. We will monitor progress closely and disclose any material changes in our quarterly reports to maintain transparency with investors.
（保守的な前提に基づいて年次引当金を計算し、予期しない事態に備えて10パーセントの予備費を含めています。実際の費用が見積もり内に収まれば、後年には年間配分を削減することも可能です。進捗を綿密に監視し、投資家との透明性を維持するため、重要な変更があれば四半期報告書で開示します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
That's reassuring. One last point—how will this affect electricity rates for customers? I want to make sure this won't trigger regulatory concerns or damage your competitive position.
（それは安心できます。最後に一点—これは顧客の電気料金にどう影響しますか？規制上の懸念を引き起こしたり、競争上の地位を損なったりしないか確認したいのです。）
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
We anticipate a minimal rate increase of less than 2 percent over the next 5 years, which is well within the range approved by regulators. This modest adjustment will not affect our market competitiveness. Additionally, we are pursuing cost reduction initiatives in other areas to mitigate the overall impact on customers.
（今後5年間で2パーセント未満のわずかな料金上昇を見込んでおり、これは規制当局が承認する範囲内です。このわずかな調整は市場競争力に影響しません。さらに、顧客への全体的な影響を軽減するため、他の分野でコスト削減施策を追求しています。）
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Excellent. Your transparent approach and conservative planning give me confidence in your long-term financial stability. I appreciate the detailed explanation and look forward to seeing the progress in your upcoming reports.
（素晴らしい。透明性のあるアプローチと保守的な計画により、長期的な財務安定性に自信が持てます。詳細な説明に感謝し、今後の報告書で進捗を見るのを楽しみにしています。）
3. Use (4 min)｜ロールプレイ & 実践（空欄補完）
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
This is a situation where decommissioning cost estimates for aging nuclear power plants and their financial impact are explained in detail to overseas investors.
老朽化した原子力発電所の廃炉費用見積もりと財務への影響について、海外投資家に詳細に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Thank you for taking the time today. I'd like to understand the financial impact of the decommissioning decision for your aging nuclear plant. Could you walk me through the cost estimate and how it will affect shareholder returns?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
Certainly. Let me explain our decommissioning plan in detail. First, the total cost is ［見積もる］d at 450000 USD over a 30-year period. Second, we will ［配分する］ approximately 15000 USD annually to our decommissioning reserve fund. Third, this gradual approach will ［最小限に抑える］ the impact on electricity rates and maintain our dividend policy.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I appreciate the breakdown. However, I'm concerned about the reserve fund status. Have you already accumulated sufficient funds, or will this create additional financial pressure in the near term?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
That's a critical question. We have already ［積み立てた］ 180000 USD in our decommissioning reserve, which covers 40 percent of the total estimated cost. The remaining amount will be funded through annual provisions without imposing significant burden on our operating cash flow. We ［評価した］ this plan carefully to ensure financial stability.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I see. But what about the annual cost allocation? Will the 15000 USD per year remain consistent, or could it escalate if unexpected issues arise during the decommissioning process?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
We calculated the annual provision based on conservative assumptions and included a 10 percent contingency buffer for unforeseen circumstances. If actual costs remain within our estimate, we may even reduce the annual allocation in later years. We will ［監視する］ progress closely and ［開示する］ any material changes in our quarterly reports to maintain transparency with investors.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
That's reassuring. One last point—how will this affect electricity rates for customers? I want to make sure this won't trigger regulatory concerns or damage your competitive position.
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
We ［見込む］ a minimal rate increase of less than 2 percent over the next 5 years, which is well within the range approved by regulators. This modest adjustment will not affect our market competitiveness. Additionally, we are pursuing cost reduction initiatives in other areas to ［軽減する］ the overall impact on customers.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Excellent. Your transparent approach and conservative planning give me confidence in your long-term financial stability. I appreciate the detailed explanation and look forward to seeing the progress in your upcoming reports.
4. Challenge (7 min)｜応用実践
Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.
このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。
Situation / シチュエーション（Reference again）
This is a situation where decommissioning cost estimates for aging nuclear power plants and their financial impact are explained in detail to overseas investors.
老朽化した原子力発電所の廃炉費用見積もりと財務への影響について、海外投資家に詳細に説明する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Thank you for taking the time today. I'd like to understand the financial impact of the decommissioning decision for your aging nuclear plant. Could you walk me through the cost estimate and how it will affect shareholder returns?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
Certainly. ［廃炉計画について詳しく説明させてください。］ First, the total cost is estimated at 450000 USD over a 30-year period. Second, we will allocate approximately 15000 USD annually to our decommissioning reserve fund. Third, this gradual approach will minimize the impact on electricity rates and maintain our dividend policy.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I appreciate the breakdown. However, I'm concerned about the reserve fund status. Have you already accumulated sufficient funds, or will this create additional financial pressure in the near term?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
That's a critical question. ［すでに廃炉引当金として180000米ドルを積み立てており、これは総見積費用の40パーセントをカバーしています。］ The remaining amount will be funded through annual provisions without imposing significant burden on our operating cash flow. ［財務の安定性を確保するため、この計画を慎重に評価しました。］
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I see. But what about the annual cost allocation? Will the 15000 USD per year remain consistent, or could it escalate if unexpected issues arise during the decommissioning process?
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
［保守的な前提に基づいて年次引当金を計算し、予期しない事態に備えて10パーセントの予備費を含めています。］ If actual costs remain within our estimate, we may even reduce the annual allocation in later years. We will monitor progress closely and disclose any material changes in our quarterly reports to maintain transparency with investors.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
That's reassuring. One last point—how will this affect electricity rates for customers? I want to make sure this won't trigger regulatory concerns or damage your competitive position.
🧑🎓【Student / Investor Relations Manager】:
We anticipate a minimal rate increase of less than 2 percent over the next 5 years, which is well within the range approved by regulators. This modest adjustment will not affect our market competitiveness. Additionally, we are pursuing cost reduction initiatives in other areas to mitigate the overall impact on customers.
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
Excellent. Your transparent approach and conservative planning give me confidence in your long-term financial stability. I appreciate the detailed explanation and look forward to seeing the progress in your upcoming reports.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try（余力があればやってみましょう）/
5. Real-world application (5 min)｜実務応用
Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。
Situation / シチュエーション
An overseas institutional investor is requesting a detailed explanation of the decommissioning cost estimate and its financial impact.
You need to explain the total cost, annual allocation plan, reserve fund status, and impact on electricity rates and shareholder returns.
海外機関投資家が廃炉費用の見積もりと財務への影響について詳細な説明を求めています。
総費用、年間配分計画、引当金の状況、電気料金と株主還元への影響を説明する必要があります。
👨💼【Teacher / Overseas Institutional Investor】:
I'd like to understand your decommissioning plan and how it will affect our investment. Could you explain the cost structure and financial impact in detail?
（廃炉計画と投資への影響について理解したいと思います。費用構造と財務への影響を詳しく説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１． Explain the total cost estimate and timeline
２． Describe the reserve fund status
３． Clarify the annual allocation plan
４． Address the impact on rates and dividends
※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6. Wrap-up (2 min) ｜レッスンの振り返り
Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！
6-1 Comments from student
・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
6-2 Feedback from teacher
・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント
*6-3 Questions from student (if any)
Japanese translation（日本語訳）
1. Read (2min)（型を学ぶ）｜基本フレーズ
2. Try (4min)（ロールプレイ練習）｜型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう！
3. Use (7min)｜応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
4. Challenge (7min)｜実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう！
5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り
"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”
「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう！」
5-1. Comments from Student
- Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
- Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ
5-2. Feedback from Teacher
- Good points / 良かった点
- Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
- What to review / 復習ポイント
5-3. Question from Students (If any)