<Elementary> Lesson No.4
米国市場向け商品のローカライズ / Localizing Products for the US Market
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
Adapting a Japanese savings-type product for the US market.
米国のニーズに合わせ、日本流の貯蓄型商品をどうアレンジするか現地と議論する場面です。
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 believe there is growing demand...(...への需要が高まっていると考える)
2.We plan to position it as...(...として位置づける予定である)
3.We need to prepare clear...(明確な...を準備する必要がある)
4.We estimate around...(約...と見積もる)
5.We can offer flexible...(柔軟な...を提供できる)
6.We have already started discussions with...(...との協議をすでに開始している)
7.We will provide specialized training for...(...に専門トレーニングを提供する)
1-2 Essential words
1.appreciate(感謝する)
2.concern(懸念)
3.approach(アプローチ)
4.focus(焦点を当てる)
5.prepare(準備する)
6.estimate(見積もる)
7.offer(提供する)
8.expect(予想する)
9.detailed(詳細な)
10.explanation(説明)
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)
Adapting a Japanese savings-type product for the US market.
米国のニーズに合わせ、日本流の貯蓄型商品をどうアレンジするか現地と議論する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you want to discuss introducing a savings-type insurance product in the US market. However, I need to point out that protection-focused products are the mainstream here. Could you explain why you think a savings product would work?
(本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。米国市場に貯蓄型保険商品を導入したいとのことですが、こちらでは保障重視の商品が主流です。貯蓄型商品がうまくいくとお考えの理由を説明していただけますか?)
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
I appreciate your concern. We believe there is growing demand for asset-building options among younger customers in the US. Our savings-type product offers both protection and long-term financial growth. This approach has worked well in Japan for over 20 years, and we see similar needs emerging in your market.
(ご懸念ありがとうございます。米国の若年層顧客の間で資産形成オプションへの需要が高まっていると考えています。当社の貯蓄型商品は保障と長期的な資産成長の両方を提供します。このアプローチは日本で20年以上うまく機能しており、貴市場でも同様のニーズが生まれていると見ています。)
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I see your point, but I am still concerned about customer acceptance. US customers expect clear separation between insurance and investment products. How would you position this product to avoid confusion?
(おっしゃることは分かりますが、顧客の受け入れについて懸念が残ります。米国の顧客は保険と投資商品の明確な区別を期待しています。混乱を避けるためにこの商品をどう位置づけますか?)
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
That is a valid concern. We plan to position it as a hybrid life insurance product with guaranteed cash value growth. We will focus on customers aged 25 to 40 who are looking for stable, long-term financial planning tools. The key message will be security plus growth, not high-risk investment. We need to prepare clear marketing materials that explain the difference from traditional investment products.
(妥当なご懸念です。保証されたキャッシュバリュー成長を伴うハイブリッド生命保険商品として位置づける予定です。安定した長期的な資産計画ツールを探している25歳から40歳の顧客に焦点を当てます。主要メッセージは安全性プラス成長であり、ハイリスク投資ではありません。従来の投資商品との違いを説明する明確なマーケティング資料を準備する必要があります。)
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I understand the concept better now. However, I need to know the premium structure. Will it be competitive compared to our current term life products? Our customers are very price-sensitive.
(コンセプトはよく理解できました。しかし、保険料の構造を知る必要があります。現在の定期生命保険商品と比較して競争力がありますか?当社の顧客は非常に価格に敏感です。)
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
The premium will be higher than term life insurance because it includes a savings component. We estimate around 150 USD per month for a 30-year-old customer with 200 thousand USD coverage. This is about 40 percent higher than term life, but the customer will build cash value of approximately 50 thousand USD over 20 years. We can offer flexible payment options to make it more acceptable.
(貯蓄要素を含むため、保険料は定期生命保険より高くなります。20万米ドルの補償を持つ30歳の顧客で月額約150米ドルと見積もっています。これは定期生命保険より約40パーセント高いですが、顧客は20年間で約5万米ドルのキャッシュバリューを構築します。より受け入れやすくするために柔軟な支払いオプションを提供できます。)
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
The price point is challenging, but the cash value feature might attract the right customers. What about regulatory approval? Do we have a clear timeline for product launch?
(価格設定は難しいですが、キャッシュバリュー機能は適切な顧客を引き付けるかもしれません。規制当局の承認についてはどうですか?商品発売の明確なスケジュールはありますか?)
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
We have already started discussions with state insurance regulators. Based on their initial feedback, we expect approval within 6 months if we provide detailed actuarial data and customer protection measures. We plan to launch in 3 states first as a pilot, then expand nationwide within 18 months. I will send you the detailed project timeline by the end of this week.
(すでに州の保険規制当局との協議を開始しています。彼らの初期フィードバックに基づくと、詳細な保険数理データと顧客保護措置を提供すれば6か月以内に承認が得られると予想しています。まず3州でパイロットとして発売し、その後18か月以内に全国展開する計画です。今週末までに詳細なプロジェクトスケジュールをお送りします。)
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
That sounds like a solid plan. One more question: how will we handle customer service for this product? It requires more explanation than our current products.
(しっかりした計画のようですね。もう1つ質問があります。この商品のカスタマーサービスはどう対応しますか?現在の商品より多くの説明が必要です。)
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
You are right. We will provide specialized training for your customer service team. We plan to develop a comprehensive training program covering product features, cash value calculations, and common customer questions. We will also prepare FAQ documents and video materials. The training will take approximately 2 weeks, and we can start 3 months before the launch.
(おっしゃる通りです。貴社のカスタマーサービスチームに専門トレーニングを提供します。商品特徴、キャッシュバリュー計算、よくある顧客の質問をカバーする包括的なトレーニングプログラムを開発する予定です。FAQ文書とビデオ資料も準備します。トレーニングには約2週間かかり、発売の3か月前に開始できます。)
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Excellent. I think we have covered the main points. Let me discuss this with our sales and compliance teams, and I will get back to you with their feedback by next week. I appreciate your detailed explanation today.
(素晴らしい。主要なポイントはカバーできたと思います。当社の営業とコンプライアンスチームと協議し、来週までに彼らのフィードバックをお伝えします。本日の詳細な説明に感謝します。)
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)
Adapting a Japanese savings-type product for the US market.
米国のニーズに合わせ、日本流の貯蓄型商品をどうアレンジするか現地と議論する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you want to discuss introducing a savings-type insurance product in the US market. However, I need to point out that protection-focused products are the mainstream here. Could you explain why you think a savings product would work?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
I [感謝する] your [懸念]. We believe there is growing demand for asset-building options among younger customers in the US. Our savings-type product offers both protection and long-term financial growth. This [アプローチ] has worked well in Japan for over 20 years, and we see similar needs emerging in your market.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I see your point, but I am still concerned about customer acceptance. US customers expect clear separation between insurance and investment products. How would you position this product to avoid confusion?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
That is a valid [懸念]. We plan to position it as a hybrid life insurance product with guaranteed cash value growth. We will [焦点を当てる] on customers aged 25 to 40 who are looking for stable, long-term financial planning tools. The key message will be security plus growth, not high-risk investment. We need to [準備する] clear marketing materials that explain the difference from traditional investment products.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I understand the concept better now. However, I need to know the premium structure. Will it be competitive compared to our current term life products? Our customers are very price-sensitive.
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
The premium will be higher than term life insurance because it includes a savings component. We [見積もる] around 150 USD per month for a 30-year-old customer with 200 thousand USD coverage. This is about 40 percent higher than term life, but the customer will build cash value of approximately 50 thousand USD over 20 years. We can [提供する] flexible payment options to make it more acceptable.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
The price point is challenging, but the cash value feature might attract the right customers. What about regulatory approval? Do we have a clear timeline for product launch?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
We have already started discussions with state insurance regulators. Based on their initial feedback, we [予想する] approval within 6 months if we provide [詳細な] actuarial data and customer protection measures. We plan to launch in 3 states first as a pilot, then expand nationwide within 18 months. I will send you the [詳細な] project timeline by the end of this week.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
That sounds like a solid plan. One more question: how will we handle customer service for this product? It requires more explanation than our current products.
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
You are right. We will provide specialized training for your customer service team. We plan to develop a comprehensive training program covering product features, cash value calculations, and common customer questions. We will also [準備する] FAQ documents and video materials. The training will take approximately 2 weeks, and we can start 3 months before the launch.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Excellent. I think we have covered the main points. Let me discuss this with our sales and compliance teams, and I will get back to you with their feedback by next week. I appreciate your detailed explanation today.
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)
Adapting a Japanese savings-type product for the US market.
米国のニーズに合わせ、日本流の貯蓄型商品をどうアレンジするか現地と議論する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. I understand you want to discuss introducing a savings-type insurance product in the US market. However, I need to point out that protection-focused products are the mainstream here. Could you explain why you think a savings product would work?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
I appreciate your concern. [米国の若年層顧客の間で資産形成オプションへの需要が高まっていると考えています。] Our savings-type product offers both protection and long-term financial growth. This approach has worked well in Japan for over 20 years, and we see similar needs emerging in your market.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I see your point, but I am still concerned about customer acceptance. US customers expect clear separation between insurance and investment products. How would you position this product to avoid confusion?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
That is a valid concern. [保証されたキャッシュバリュー成長を伴うハイブリッド生命保険商品として位置づける予定です。] We will focus on customers aged 25 to 40 who are looking for stable, long-term financial planning tools. The key message will be security plus growth, not high-risk investment. [従来の投資商品との違いを説明する明確なマーケティング資料を準備する必要があります。]
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I understand the concept better now. However, I need to know the premium structure. Will it be competitive compared to our current term life products? Our customers are very price-sensitive.
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
The premium will be higher than term life insurance because it includes a savings component. [20万米ドルの補償を持つ30歳の顧客で月額約150米ドルと見積もっています。] This is about 40 percent higher than term life, but the customer will build cash value of approximately 50 thousand USD over 20 years. We can offer flexible payment options to make it more acceptable.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
The price point is challenging, but the cash value feature might attract the right customers. What about regulatory approval? Do we have a clear timeline for product launch?
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
We have already started discussions with state insurance regulators. Based on their initial feedback, we expect approval within 6 months if we provide detailed actuarial data and customer protection measures. We plan to launch in 3 states first as a pilot, then expand nationwide within 18 months. I will send you the detailed project timeline by the end of this week.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
That sounds like a solid plan. One more question: how will we handle customer service for this product? It requires more explanation than our current products.
🧑🎓【Student / Japan HQ Insurance Product Manager】:
You are right. We will provide specialized training for your customer service team. We plan to develop a comprehensive training program covering product features, cash value calculations, and common customer questions. We will also prepare FAQ documents and video materials. The training will take approximately 2 weeks, and we can start 3 months before the launch.
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
Excellent. I think we have covered the main points. Let me discuss this with our sales and compliance teams, and I will get back to you with their feedback by next week. I appreciate your detailed explanation today.
\ 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
You are discussing the introduction of a Japanese-style savings-type insurance product with the US subsidiary product manager.
The US side is concerned that protection-focused products are mainstream in the US market.
あなたは米国子会社の商品担当者と日本式の貯蓄型保険商品の導入について議論しています。
米国側は米国市場では保障重視の商品が主流であることを懸念しています。
👨💼【Teacher / US Subsidiary Product Manager】:
I would like to hear your thoughts on how this savings-type product can succeed in our market. Can you explain your strategy?
(この貯蓄型商品が当社の市場でどのように成功できるか、お考えをお聞かせください。戦略を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 target customer needs(ターゲット顧客のニーズを説明する)
2.Describe the product positioning(商品の位置づけを述べる)
3.Present the premium structure(保険料構造を提示する)
4.Outline the launch timeline(発売スケジュールの概要を示す)
※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)
