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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.1

Quality Standard Negotiations with Overseas Suppliers / 海外サプライヤーとの品質基準交渉

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

Discussing quality standards and inspection processes with overseas suppliers for new product component procurement.
新製品開発で海外サプライヤーと品質基準や検査プロセスについて話し合う場面です。

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.We need to ensure that...(...を確実にする必要がある)
2.Could you describe your...(あなたの...について説明していただけますか)
3.Let me elaborate on...(...について詳しく説明させてください)
4.I appreciate your concern, but...(ご懸念は理解いたしますが...)
5.We can assist you by...(...することでサポートできます)
6.We understand that achieving...(...を達成することは理解しています)
7.You can utilize third-party...(第三者の...を利用できます)

1-2 Essential words
1.ensure(確実にする)
2.describe(説明する)
3.elaborate(詳しく説明する)
4.modify(変更する)
5.appreciate(理解する)
6.assist(サポートする)
7.accelerate(迅速化する)
8.accomplish(達成する)
9.demonstrate(実証する)
10.utilize(利用する)
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)

Discussing quality standards and inspection processes with overseas suppliers for new product component procurement.
新製品開発で海外サプライヤーと品質基準や検査プロセスについて話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Thank you for considering our company as your parts supplier. I understand you have strict quality requirements for your new product development.
(弊社を部品サプライヤーとしてご検討いただきありがとうございます。新製品開発において厳格な品質要件があると伺っております。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
Yes, that's correct. We need to ensure that all components meet our technical specifications. Could you describe your quality control system in detail?
(はい、その通りです。すべての部品が当社の技術仕様を満たすことを確認する必要があります。貴社の品質管理体制について詳しく説明していただけますか?)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Certainly. We have ISO 9001 certification and conduct inspections at 3 stages. However, I'd like to understand your specific quality standards first.
(承知しました。弊社はISO 9001認証を取得しており、3段階で検査を実施しています。ただ、まず貴社の具体的な品質基準を理解したいと思います。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
Let me elaborate on our requirements. First, the defect rate must not exceed 0.1 percent. Second, all parts must pass thermal cycle testing at 125 degrees Celsius for 500 hours. Third, you must submit inspection reports within 24 hours of each production batch.
(当社の要件について詳しく説明させてください。第一に、不良率は0.1パーセントを超えてはなりません。第二に、すべての部品は125度で500時間の熱サイクル試験に合格する必要があります。第三に、各生産ロットの検査報告書を24時間以内に提出していただく必要があります。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Those are very demanding standards. The 24-hour reporting requirement will be challenging for us. Can we negotiate this timeline?
(それは非常に厳しい基準ですね。24時間以内の報告要件は弊社にとって困難です。この期限について交渉できますでしょうか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
I appreciate your concern, but we cannot modify this requirement. Our production schedule depends on immediate quality confirmation. However, we can assist you by providing our reporting template to accelerate your documentation process.
(ご懸念は理解いたしますが、この要件を変更することはできません。当社の生産スケジュールは即時の品質確認に依存しています。ただし、報告書作成を迅速化するため、当社の報告書テンプレートを提供してサポートすることは可能です。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That would be helpful. But I'm still concerned about the 0.1 percent defect rate. Our current capability is 0.3 percent. What happens if we cannot accomplish this target initially?
(それは助かります。しかし、0.1パーセントの不良率についてはまだ懸念があります。弊社の現在の能力は0.3パーセントです。当初この目標を達成できない場合はどうなりますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
We understand that achieving this level takes time. We can establish a 6-month improvement period. During this time, you must demonstrate continuous reduction in defect rates and submit monthly progress reports. If you reach 0.15 percent within 3 months, we can proceed with mass production planning.
(このレベルの達成には時間がかかることは理解しています。6か月の改善期間を設定できます。この期間中、不良率の継続的な削減を実証し、月次進捗報告書を提出していただく必要があります。3か月以内に0.15パーセントに到達すれば、量産計画を進めることができます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
I see. One more question - you mentioned thermal cycle testing. Do we need to purchase special equipment for this? The investment could be considerable.
(わかりました。もう1つ質問があります。熱サイクル試験について言及されましたが、このために特別な装置を購入する必要がありますか?投資額がかなり大きくなる可能性があります。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
You don't need to invest in new equipment immediately. For the initial phase, you can utilize third-party testing facilities certified by us. We maintain a list of approved testing laboratories in your region. Once the contract volume reaches 100000 units per month, we expect you to have in-house testing capability.
(すぐに新しい装置に投資する必要はありません。初期段階では、当社が認定した第三者試験施設を利用できます。貴社の地域にある承認済み試験所のリストを保持しています。契約数量が月間10万個に達した時点で、社内試験能力を持つことを期待します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That's a reasonable approach. Based on our discussion, I believe we can meet your requirements. We'll prepare detailed documentation of our quality procedures and submit it by next Friday. Thank you for the clear explanation and your flexibility on the testing equipment.
(それは合理的なアプローチですね。本日の議論に基づき、貴社の要件を満たせると考えます。品質手順の詳細な文書を準備し、来週金曜日までに提出いたします。明確な説明と試験装置に関する柔軟性に感謝いたします。)
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)

Discussing quality standards and inspection processes with overseas suppliers for new product component procurement.
新製品開発で海外サプライヤーと品質基準や検査プロセスについて話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Thank you for considering our company as your parts supplier. I understand you have strict quality requirements for your new product development.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
Yes, that's correct. We need to [確実にする] that all components meet our technical specifications. Could you [説明する] your quality control system in detail?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Certainly. We have ISO 9001 certification and conduct inspections at 3 stages. However, I'd like to understand your specific quality standards first.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
Let me [詳しく説明する] on our requirements. First, the defect rate must not exceed 0.1 percent. Second, all parts must pass thermal cycle testing at 125 degrees Celsius for 500 hours. Third, you must submit inspection reports within 24 hours of each production batch.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Those are very demanding standards. The 24-hour reporting requirement will be challenging for us. Can we negotiate this timeline?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
I [理解する] your concern, but we cannot [変更する] this requirement. Our production schedule depends on immediate quality confirmation. However, we can [サポートする] you by providing our reporting template to [迅速化する] your documentation process.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That would be helpful. But I'm still concerned about the 0.1 percent defect rate. Our current capability is 0.3 percent. What happens if we cannot accomplish this target initially?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
We understand that achieving this level takes time. We can establish a 6-month improvement period. During this time, you must [実証する] continuous reduction in defect rates and submit monthly progress reports. If you reach 0.15 percent within 3 months, we can proceed with mass production planning.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
I see. One more question - you mentioned thermal cycle testing. Do we need to purchase special equipment for this? The investment could be considerable.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
You don't need to invest in new equipment immediately. For the initial phase, you can [利用する] third-party testing facilities certified by us. We maintain a list of approved testing laboratories in your region. Once the contract volume reaches 100000 units per month, we expect you to have in-house testing capability.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That's a reasonable approach. Based on our discussion, I believe we can meet your requirements. We'll prepare detailed documentation of our quality procedures and submit it by next Friday. Thank you for the clear explanation and your flexibility on the testing equipment.
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)

Discussing quality standards and inspection processes with overseas suppliers for new product component procurement.
新製品開発で海外サプライヤーと品質基準や検査プロセスについて話し合う場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Thank you for considering our company as your parts supplier. I understand you have strict quality requirements for your new product development.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
Yes, that's correct. [すべての部品が当社の技術仕様を満たすことを確認する必要があります。] Could you describe your quality control system in detail?

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Certainly. We have ISO 9001 certification and conduct inspections at 3 stages. However, I'd like to understand your specific quality standards first.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
[当社の要件について詳しく説明させてください。] First, the defect rate must not exceed 0.1 percent. Second, all parts must pass thermal cycle testing at 125 degrees Celsius for 500 hours. Third, you must submit inspection reports within 24 hours of each production batch.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Those are very demanding standards. The 24-hour reporting requirement will be challenging for us. Can we negotiate this timeline?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
[ご懸念は理解いたしますが、この要件を変更することはできません。] Our production schedule depends on immediate quality confirmation. [ただし、報告書作成を迅速化するため、当社の報告書テンプレートを提供してサポートすることは可能です。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That would be helpful. But I'm still concerned about the 0.1 percent defect rate. Our current capability is 0.3 percent. What happens if we cannot accomplish this target initially?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
We understand that achieving this level takes time. We can establish a 6-month improvement period. During this time, you must demonstrate continuous reduction in defect rates and submit monthly progress reports. If you reach 0.15 percent within 3 months, we can proceed with mass production planning.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
I see. One more question - you mentioned thermal cycle testing. Do we need to purchase special equipment for this? The investment could be considerable.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Product Development Engineer】:
You don't need to invest in new equipment immediately. [初期段階では、当社が認定した第三者試験施設を利用できます。] We maintain a list of approved testing laboratories in your region. Once the contract volume reaches 100000 units per month, we expect you to have in-house testing capability.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
That's a reasonable approach. Based on our discussion, I believe we can meet your requirements. We'll prepare detailed documentation of our quality procedures and submit it by next Friday. Thank you for the clear explanation and your flexibility on the testing equipment.
\ 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 engineer is discussing quality standards and inspection processes with an overseas supplier for new product development.
The supplier must demonstrate their manufacturing capability and quality control system to meet the required quality level.
エンジニアが新製品開発のため、海外サプライヤーと品質基準と検査プロセスについて協議している。
サプライヤーは要求される品質レベルを達成できることを証明するため、製造能力と品質管理体制を実証しなければならない。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Supplier Quality Manager】:
Thank you for this opportunity. Could you explain your quality requirements and inspection procedures for our partnership?
(この機会をいただきありがとうございます。貴社の品質要件と検査手順について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 quality standards in detail
2. Clarify the inspection timeline requirements
3. Offer support for documentation process
4. Describe the improvement period plan
​※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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