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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.6

Resolving Discrepancies Between Letter of Credit Terms and Actual Trade Conditions / 信用状条件と実際の取引条件の不一致解決

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

Letter of credit conditions differ from actual transaction terms, requiring modification negotiations between overseas buyers, sellers, issuing banks, and advising banks for smooth settlement.
信用状の記載条件が実際の取引条件と異なり、海外買主・売主・開設銀行・通知銀行間で条件修正交渉を行い円滑な決済を実現する場面です。

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.We need to request an amendment...(...の修正を依頼する必要がある)
2.Let me explain our position...(当方の立場を説明させてください)
3.This discrepancy was triggered by...(この不一致は...によって引き起こされた)
4.We can coordinate with...(...と調整することができる)
5.We need to submit a revised...(修正された...を提出する必要がある)
6.We'll consult with our logistics team to...(...するため物流チームと相談します)
7.We'll obtain the certificate from...(...から証明書を取得します)

1-2 Essential words
1.discrepancy(不一致)
2.clarify(説明する)
3.detect(発見する)
4.amendment(修正)
5.triggered(引き起こされた)
6.accelerate(迅速化する)
7.inconsistency(不一致)
8.submit(提出する)
9.consult with(相談する)
10.stabilize(安定させる)
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)

Letter of credit conditions differ from actual transaction terms, requiring modification negotiations between overseas buyers, sellers, issuing banks, and advising banks for smooth settlement.
信用状の記載条件が実際の取引条件と異なり、海外買主・売主・開設銀行・通知銀行間で条件修正交渉を行い円滑な決済を実現する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Good morning. We've received the letter of credit, but there's a discrepancy in the shipment terms. The L/C states FOB, but our contract specifies CIF. Can you clarify this?
(おはようございます。信用状を受け取りましたが、船積み条件に不一致があります。信用状にはFOBと記載されていますが、契約書ではCIFと指定されています。これについて説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for detecting this issue. You're absolutely right. The contract clearly defines CIF terms, so we need to request an amendment from the issuing bank immediately.
(この問題を発見していただきありがとうございます。おっしゃる通りです。契約書では明確にCIF条件と定義されていますので、開設銀行に直ちに修正を依頼する必要があります。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
I appreciate your quick response. However, who will bear the amendment fee? Our buyer is reluctant to pay additional costs.
(迅速な対応に感謝します。しかし、修正費用は誰が負担しますか?当行の買主は追加費用の支払いに消極的です。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Let me explain our position. First, this discrepancy was triggered by an error on the issuing bank's side, not by our contract. Second, according to standard practice, the party requesting the L/C amendment should bear the cost. Third, we can coordinate with the seller to share the fee if that helps accelerate the process.
(当方の立場を説明させてください。第一に、この不一致は当方の契約ではなく、開設銀行側のミスによって引き起こされました。第二に、標準的な慣行では、信用状修正を依頼する側が費用を負担すべきです。第三に、手続きを迅速化するのに役立つのであれば、売主と調整して費用を分担することも可能です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That's a reasonable proposal. But there's another issue. The product specification in the L/C describes the quantity as 5000 units, while the invoice shows 5500 units. This inconsistency will cause problems at customs.
(それは妥当な提案です。しかし、もう一つ問題があります。信用状の商品仕様には数量が5000個と記載されていますが、インボイスには5500個と表示されています。この不一致は税関で問題を引き起こします。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
I understand your concern. We need to submit a revised commercial invoice that matches the L/C quantity exactly. We'll also consult with our logistics team to confirm whether the actual shipment is 5000 or 5500 units, then proceed with the appropriate amendment request.
(ご懸念は理解しております。信用状の数量と正確に一致する修正商業インボイスを提出する必要があります。また、実際の船積みが5000個なのか5500個なのかを確認するため物流チームと相談し、その後適切な修正依頼を進めます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
One more thing. The document requirement lists a certificate of origin, but your current documents don't include it. Without this, we cannot process the payment.
(もう一点あります。書類要件には原産地証明書が記載されていますが、現在の書類にはそれが含まれていません。これがなければ、支払いを処理できません。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for pointing that out. We'll obtain the certificate from the chamber of commerce within 3 business days. To avoid further delays, may I suggest we submit all amendment requests together with the certificate once it's ready?
(ご指摘ありがとうございます。3営業日以内に商工会議所から証明書を取得します。さらなる遅延を避けるため、証明書の準備ができ次第、すべての修正依頼を一緒に提出することを提案してもよろしいでしょうか?)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That sounds efficient. Please make sure all corrections are completed by next Friday. We need to stabilize this transaction before the shipment deadline.
(それは効率的ですね。来週金曜日までにすべての修正を完了させてください。船積み期限前にこの取引を安定させる必要があります。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Understood. We'll coordinate with all parties and ensure the amended L/C and complete documentation are ready by that date. I'll keep you updated on our progress.
(承知しました。すべての関係者と調整し、修正された信用状と完全な書類をその日までに準備します。進捗状況については随時ご報告いたします。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Excellent. I'm counting on your team to resolve this smoothly. Let's proceed as discussed.
(素晴らしい。貴チームがこれを円滑に解決してくれることを期待しています。話し合った通りに進めましょう。)
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)

Letter of credit conditions differ from actual transaction terms, requiring modification negotiations between overseas buyers, sellers, issuing banks, and advising banks for smooth settlement.
信用状の記載条件が実際の取引条件と異なり、海外買主・売主・開設銀行・通知銀行間で条件修正交渉を行い円滑な決済を実現する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Good morning. We've received the letter of credit, but there's a discrepancy in the shipment terms. The L/C states FOB, but our contract specifies CIF. Can you clarify this?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for [発見する] this issue. You're absolutely right. The contract clearly defines CIF terms, so we need to request an [修正] from the issuing bank immediately.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
I appreciate your quick response. However, who will bear the amendment fee? Our buyer is reluctant to pay additional costs.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Let me explain our position. First, this [不一致] was [引き起こされた] by an error on the issuing bank's side, not by our contract. Second, according to standard practice, the party requesting the L/C [修正] should bear the cost. Third, we can coordinate with the seller to share the fee if that helps [迅速化する] the process.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That's a reasonable proposal. But there's another issue. The product specification in the L/C describes the quantity as 5000 units, while the invoice shows 5500 units. This inconsistency will cause problems at customs.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
I understand your concern. We need to [提出する] a revised commercial invoice that matches the L/C quantity exactly. We'll also [相談する] our logistics team to confirm whether the actual shipment is 5000 or 5500 units, then proceed with the appropriate [修正] request.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
One more thing. The document requirement lists a certificate of origin, but your current documents don't include it. Without this, we cannot process the payment.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for pointing that out. We'll obtain the certificate from the chamber of commerce within 3 business days. To avoid further delays, may I suggest we [提出する] all [修正] requests together with the certificate once it's ready?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That sounds efficient. Please make sure all corrections are completed by next Friday. We need to stabilize this transaction before the shipment deadline.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Understood. We'll coordinate with all parties and ensure the amended L/C and complete documentation are ready by that date. I'll keep you updated on our progress.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Excellent. I'm counting on your team to resolve this smoothly. Let's proceed as discussed.
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)

Letter of credit conditions differ from actual transaction terms, requiring modification negotiations between overseas buyers, sellers, issuing banks, and advising banks for smooth settlement.
信用状の記載条件が実際の取引条件と異なり、海外買主・売主・開設銀行・通知銀行間で条件修正交渉を行い円滑な決済を実現する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Good morning. We've received the letter of credit, but there's a discrepancy in the shipment terms. The L/C states FOB, but our contract specifies CIF. Can you clarify this?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for detecting this issue. You're absolutely right. The contract clearly defines CIF terms, so [開設銀行に直ちに修正を依頼する必要があります。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
I appreciate your quick response. However, who will bear the amendment fee? Our buyer is reluctant to pay additional costs.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
[当方の立場を説明させてください。] First, [この不一致は当方の契約ではなく、開設銀行側のミスによって引き起こされました。] Second, according to standard practice, the party requesting the L/C amendment should bear the cost. Third, [手続きを迅速化するのに役立つのであれば、売主と調整して費用を分担することも可能です。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That's a reasonable proposal. But there's another issue. The product specification in the L/C describes the quantity as 5000 units, while the invoice shows 5500 units. This inconsistency will cause problems at customs.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
I understand your concern. We need to submit a revised commercial invoice that matches the L/C quantity exactly. We'll also consult with our logistics team to confirm whether the actual shipment is 5000 or 5500 units, then proceed with the appropriate amendment request.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
One more thing. The document requirement lists a certificate of origin, but your current documents don't include it. Without this, we cannot process the payment.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Thank you for pointing that out. We'll obtain the certificate from the chamber of commerce within 3 business days. To avoid further delays, may I suggest we submit all amendment requests together with the certificate once it's ready?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
That sounds efficient. Please make sure all corrections are completed by next Friday. We need to stabilize this transaction before the shipment deadline.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Trade Administration Staff】:
Understood. We'll coordinate with all parties and ensure the amended L/C and complete documentation are ready by that date. I'll keep you updated on our progress.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
Excellent. I'm counting on your team to resolve this smoothly. Let's proceed as discussed.
\ 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
A letter of credit has been issued for an international trade transaction, but discrepancies exist between the L/C terms and the actual contract conditions.
The trade administration staff must negotiate amendments with the buyer's bank, addressing shipment terms, product specifications, and document requirements.
海外取引のために信用状が開設されたが、信用状条件と実際の契約条件との間に不一致が存在している。
貿易事務担当者は、船積み条件、商品仕様、書類要件について買主の銀行と修正交渉を行わなければならない。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Buyer's Bank Officer】:
We've identified several discrepancies in the L/C. Can you explain how you plan to resolve these issues and coordinate the amendment process?
(信用状にいくつかの不一致を確認しました。これらの問題をどのように解決し、修正手続きを調整する予定か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 cause of discrepancies
2. Propose cost
3. Describe the document correction plan
4. Confirm the amendment timeline
​※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)

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