top of page
＜Elementary＞ Lesson No.7
Investment Decision for New LNG Project / 新規LNGプロジェクトへの投資判断
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
Conducting detailed negotiations on investment conditions for a new overseas LNG project investment opportunity.
海外新規LNGプロジェクトへの投資機会について、投資条件の詳細交渉を行う場面です。
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．I reviewed the proposal and...（提案を確認し...）
２．I need to confirm a few points before...（...の前にいくつか確認したい点がある）
３．I appreciate the explanation...（ご説明ありがとうございます）
４．We would prefer a shorter return period or...（より短いリターン期間か...を希望します）
５．We need more details on...（...の詳細が必要です）
６．I still have concerns about...（...についてはまだ懸念があります）
７．Can you provide a breakdown of...（...の内訳を提供していただけますか）
1-2 Essential words
１．confirm（確認する）
２．manage（管理する）
３．expected（期待される）
４．accept（受け入れる）
５．reduce（削減する）
６．explain（説明する）
７．include（含める）
８．arrange（手配する）
９．acceptable（受け入れ可能な）
１０．provide（提供する）
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）
Conducting detailed negotiations on investment conditions for a new overseas LNG project investment opportunity.
海外新規LNGプロジェクトへの投資機会について、投資条件の詳細交渉を行う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Thank you for joining us today. We have a new LNG project starting overseas, and we would like to discuss a long-term contract with upfront investment. Could you review our proposal and share your initial thoughts?
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。海外で新しいLNGプロジェクトが始まり、事前投資を伴う長期契約についてご相談したいと考えています。提案内容をご確認いただき、初期のご意見をお聞かせいただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Thank you for the opportunity. I reviewed the proposal and I understand the project scale. However, I need to confirm a few points before we proceed. First, what is the expected return period? Second, how will you manage the price risk during the contract?
（機会をいただきありがとうございます。提案を確認し、プロジェクトの規模は理解しました。ただし、進める前にいくつか確認したい点があります。第一に、期待されるリターン期間はどのくらいですか？第二に、契約期間中の価格リスクをどのように管理されますか？）
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
The expected return period is 10 years based on our financial model. For price risk, we offer a price review clause every 3 years to adjust to market conditions. Does this address your concerns?
（財務モデルに基づくと、期待されるリターン期間は10年です。価格リスクについては、市場状況に応じて調整するため、3年ごとに価格見直し条項を設けています。これでご懸念は解消されますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I appreciate the explanation. However, 10 years seems long considering the current market volatility. We would prefer a shorter return period or a higher annual return rate. Additionally, we need more details on the price review mechanism. How exactly will the adjustment work?
（ご説明ありがとうございます。しかし、現在の市場変動を考えると10年は長いように思えます。より短いリターン期間か、より高い年間リターン率を希望します。さらに、価格見直しメカニズムの詳細が必要です。具体的にどのように調整が行われますか？）
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We understand your concern about the timeline. We can offer an 8 percent annual return instead of 6 percent if you commit to the full 10 years. Regarding the price review, we will use the average market price of the previous 12 months as the baseline. Is this acceptable?
（期間に関するご懸念は理解しています。10年間の全期間にコミットいただける場合、6パーセントではなく8パーセントの年間リターンを提供できます。価格見直しについては、過去12か月の平均市場価格をベースラインとして使用します。これで受け入れ可能でしょうか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
The 8 percent return is more reasonable. However, I still have concerns about the upfront investment amount. We need to reduce the initial cost to manage our cash flow. Can you provide a breakdown of the investment and explain which parts can be reduced?
（8パーセントのリターンはより妥当です。しかし、事前投資額についてはまだ懸念があります。キャッシュフローを管理するため、初期コストを削減する必要があります。投資の内訳を提供し、どの部分を削減できるか説明していただけますか？）
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Certainly. The total upfront investment is 50 million USD. This includes 30 million USD for infrastructure, 15 million USD for equipment, and 5 million USD for permits and legal costs. We can reduce the equipment cost by 3 million USD if you accept a slightly longer delivery schedule.
（承知しました。事前投資の総額は5000万米ドルです。これには、インフラに3000万米ドル、設備に1500万米ドル、許可と法的費用に500万米ドルが含まれます。納期を少し延ばすことを受け入れていただければ、設備コストを300万米ドル削減できます。）
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I appreciate the breakdown. The 3 million USD reduction helps, but we also need to discuss the payment schedule. Can we split the upfront payment into two phases instead of one lump sum? This would reduce our financial risk at the start.
（内訳をありがとうございます。300万米ドルの削減は助かりますが、支払いスケジュールについても話し合う必要があります。一括払いではなく、事前支払いを2段階に分けることは可能ですか？これにより、開始時の財務リスクが軽減されます。）
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can arrange a two-phase payment. The first payment of 25 million USD would be due at contract signing, and the second payment of 22 million USD would be due 6 months later when construction begins. Does this work for you?
（2段階の支払いを手配できます。最初の支払い2500万米ドルは契約締結時に、2回目の支払い2200万米ドルは建設開始時の6か月後に支払期限となります。これでよろしいでしょうか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
That payment structure is acceptable. However, I would like to add one more condition. We need a performance guarantee clause to protect our investment in case the project does not meet the expected production volume. Can you include this in the contract?
（その支払い構造は受け入れ可能です。しかし、もう1つ条件を追加したいと思います。プロジェクトが期待される生産量を満たさない場合に投資を保護するため、パフォーマンス保証条項が必要です。これを契約に含めていただけますか？）
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can include a performance guarantee clause. If the production volume falls below 90 percent of the target for 2 consecutive years, we will provide a compensation of 5 percent of your total investment. I believe this addresses your concern and we can move forward with the contract.
（パフォーマンス保証条項を含めることができます。生産量が2年連続で目標の90パーセントを下回った場合、総投資額の5パーセントを補償として提供します。これでご懸念に対応でき、契約を進められると考えています。）
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）
Conducting detailed negotiations on investment conditions for a new overseas LNG project investment opportunity.
海外新規LNGプロジェクトへの投資機会について、投資条件の詳細交渉を行う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Thank you for joining us today. We have a new LNG project starting overseas, and we would like to discuss a long-term contract with upfront investment. Could you review our proposal and share your initial thoughts?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Thank you for the opportunity. I reviewed the proposal and I understand the project scale. However, I need to ［確認する］ a few points before we proceed. First, what is the ［期待される］ return period? Second, how will you ［管理する］ the price risk during the contract?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
The expected return period is 10 years based on our financial model. For price risk, we offer a price review clause every 3 years to adjust to market conditions. Does this address your concerns?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I appreciate the ［説明する］. However, 10 years seems long considering the current market volatility. We would prefer a shorter return period or a higher annual return rate. Additionally, we need more details on the price review mechanism. How exactly will the adjustment work?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We understand your concern about the timeline. We can offer an 8 percent annual return instead of 6 percent if you commit to the full 10 years. Regarding the price review, we will use the average market price of the previous 12 months as the baseline. Is this acceptable?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
The 8 percent return is more reasonable. However, I still have concerns about the upfront investment amount. We need to ［削減する］ the initial cost to ［管理する］ our cash flow. Can you ［提供する］ a breakdown of the investment and ［説明する］ which parts can be reduced?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Certainly. The total upfront investment is 50 million USD. This includes 30 million USD for infrastructure, 15 million USD for equipment, and 5 million USD for permits and legal costs. We can reduce the equipment cost by 3 million USD if you accept a slightly longer delivery schedule.
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I appreciate the breakdown. The 3 million USD reduction helps, but we also need to discuss the payment schedule. Can we split the upfront payment into two phases instead of one lump sum? This would ［削減する］ our financial risk at the start.
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can arrange a two-phase payment. The first payment of 25 million USD would be due at contract signing, and the second payment of 22 million USD would be due 6 months later when construction begins. Does this work for you?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
That payment structure is ［受け入れ可能な］. However, I would like to add one more condition. We need a performance guarantee clause to protect our investment in case the project does not meet the ［期待される］ production volume. Can you ［含める］ this in the contract?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can include a performance guarantee clause. If the production volume falls below 90 percent of the target for 2 consecutive years, we will provide a compensation of 5 percent of your total investment. I believe this addresses your concern and we can move forward with the contract.
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）
Conducting detailed negotiations on investment conditions for a new overseas LNG project investment opportunity.
海外新規LNGプロジェクトへの投資機会について、投資条件の詳細交渉を行う場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Thank you for joining us today. We have a new LNG project starting overseas, and we would like to discuss a long-term contract with upfront investment. Could you review our proposal and share your initial thoughts?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
Thank you for the opportunity. ［提案を確認し、プロジェクトの規模は理解しました。］ However, I need to confirm a few points before we proceed. First, what is the expected return period? Second, how will you manage the price risk during the contract?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
The expected return period is 10 years based on our financial model. For price risk, we offer a price review clause every 3 years to adjust to market conditions. Does this address your concerns?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
［ご説明ありがとうございます。］ However, 10 years seems long considering the current market volatility. ［より短いリターン期間か、より高い年間リターン率を希望します。］ Additionally, we need more details on the price review mechanism. How exactly will the adjustment work?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We understand your concern about the timeline. We can offer an 8 percent annual return instead of 6 percent if you commit to the full 10 years. Regarding the price review, we will use the average market price of the previous 12 months as the baseline. Is this acceptable?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
The 8 percent return is more reasonable. However, I still have concerns about the upfront investment amount. We need to reduce the initial cost to manage our cash flow. ［投資の内訳を提供し、どの部分を削減できるか説明していただけますか？］
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
Certainly. The total upfront investment is 50 million USD. This includes 30 million USD for infrastructure, 15 million USD for equipment, and 5 million USD for permits and legal costs. We can reduce the equipment cost by 3 million USD if you accept a slightly longer delivery schedule.
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
I appreciate the breakdown. The 3 million USD reduction helps, but we also need to discuss the payment schedule. Can we split the upfront payment into two phases instead of one lump sum? This would reduce our financial risk at the start.
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can arrange a two-phase payment. The first payment of 25 million USD would be due at contract signing, and the second payment of 22 million USD would be due 6 months later when construction begins. Does this work for you?
🧑🎓【Student / Resource Trader】:
That payment structure is acceptable. However, I would like to add one more condition. We need a performance guarantee clause to protect our investment in case the project does not meet the expected production volume. Can you include this in the contract?
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We can include a performance guarantee clause. If the production volume falls below 90 percent of the target for 2 consecutive years, we will provide a compensation of 5 percent of your total investment. I believe this addresses your concern and we can move forward with the contract.
\ 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 new overseas LNG project offers a long-term contract opportunity with upfront investment.
The project developer presents investment terms and expected returns to the resource trader.
海外で新規LNGプロジェクトが立ち上がり、事前投資を伴う長期契約の機会が提示されています。
プロジェクト開発業者が資源トレーダーに投資条件と期待リターンを提示しています。
👨💼【Teacher / Project Developer】:
We have prepared the investment proposal for the new LNG project. Could you share your evaluation of the terms and any concerns you may have?
（新しいLNGプロジェクトの投資提案を準備しました。条件の評価と懸念事項があればお聞かせいただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１．Explain the risk evaluation results（リスク評価結果を説明する）
２．Clarify required investment conditions（必要な投資条件を明確にする）
３．Describe the return period preference（リターン期間の希望を述べる）
４．Request additional contract terms（追加の契約条件を要請する）
※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)
bottom of page