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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.15

Negotiating Technical Conditions for Medical Device Maintenance Contracts with Overseas Customers / 海外顧客との医療機器保守契約の技術条件交渉

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

Long-term maintenance contracts with overseas medical institutions are being negotiated, covering technical support and service scope.
海外医療機関との長期保守契約締結に向け、技術サポート範囲と持続可能な保守体制を提案している場面です。

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 carry out preventive inspections...(予防点検を実施する...)
2.We provide emergency on-site support...(緊急の現地サポートを提供する...)
3.We supply genuine spare parts with...(純正部品を...付きで供給する)
4.We assign a dedicated technical team to...(専任の技術チームを...に配置する)
5.We install remote monitoring systems to...(遠隔監視システムを...するために設置する)
6.Let me explain our calculation...(当社の計算について説明させてください...)
7.We can reduce the annual cost by...(年間費用を...削減できる)

1-2 Essential words
1.detect(検出する)
2.trigger(引き起こす)
3.anticipate(予測する)
4.elaborate on(詳しく説明する)
5.considerably(かなり)
6.calculate(計算する)
7.commit(約束する)
8.ensure(保証する)
9.comply with(準拠する)
10.maintain(維持する)
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)

Long-term maintenance contracts with overseas medical institutions are being negotiated, covering technical support and service scope.
海外医療機関との長期保守契約締結に向け、技術サポート範囲と持続可能な保守体制を提案している場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We need to discuss the long-term maintenance contract for the medical equipment. Could you outline the scope of maintenance and technical support you can provide?
(本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。医療機器の長期保守契約について話し合う必要があります。提供可能な保守範囲と技術サポートの概要を説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Certainly. Our maintenance contract consists of three main components. First, we carry out preventive inspections every 3 months to detect potential issues early. Second, we provide emergency on-site support within 4 hours. Third, we supply genuine spare parts with guaranteed availability for 10 years.
(承知しました。当社の保守契約は3つの主要な要素で構成されています。第一に、潜在的な問題を早期に検出するため3か月ごとに予防点検を実施します。第二に、4時間以内に緊急の現地サポートを提供します。第三に、10年間の供給保証付きで純正部品を供給します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The 4-hour response time sounds promising. However, what happens if a critical failure occurs outside regular business hours? Our hospital operates around the clock.
(4時間の対応時間は有望に聞こえます。しかし、通常の営業時間外に重大な故障が発生した場合はどうなりますか?当院は24時間体制で稼働しています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
We understand your concern. We assign a dedicated technical team to your facility with 24-hour availability. For after-hours emergencies, our engineers can be on-site within 2 hours. We also install remote monitoring systems to anticipate equipment issues before they trigger service interruptions.
(ご懸念は理解しております。貴施設には24時間対応可能な専任の技術チームを配置します。時間外の緊急時には、当社のエンジニアが2時間以内に現地に到着できます。また、サービス中断を引き起こす前に機器の問題を予測するため、遠隔監視システムを設置します。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
That addresses our immediate needs. But I'm concerned about the total cost. The annual fee you submitted seems considerably higher than our current contract. Can you elaborate on the pricing structure?
(それは当面のニーズには対応していますね。しかし総費用が心配です。提出された年間費用は現在の契約よりかなり高額に見えます。価格構造について詳しく説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Let me explain our calculation. The fee consists of four elements. First, the 24-hour engineer assignment accounts for 40 percent of the cost. Second, the guaranteed parts inventory adds 25 percent. Third, the remote monitoring system represents 20 percent. Fourth, quarterly preventive maintenance makes up the remainder. However, we can reduce the annual cost by 8 percent if you commit to a 5-year contract instead of 3 years.
(当社の計算について説明させてください。費用は4つの要素で構成されています。第一に、24時間体制のエンジニア配置が費用の40パーセントを占めます。第二に、保証された部品在庫が25パーセントを追加します。第三に、遠隔監視システムが20パーセントを占めます。第四に、四半期ごとの予防保守が残りを構成します。ただし、3年ではなく5年契約をお約束いただければ、年間費用を8パーセント削減できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The breakdown is helpful. One final question: how do you ensure the quality of replacement parts? We cannot compromise patient safety.
(内訳は参考になります。最後に1つ質問です。交換部品の品質をどのように保証しますか?患者の安全を損なうことはできません。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Quality is our top priority. All spare parts are manufactured at our certified facilities and comply with international medical device standards. Each component undergoes validation testing before shipment. We also maintain complete documentation for regulatory audits. This ensures your equipment maintains optimal performance throughout the contract period.
(品質は当社の最優先事項です。すべての予備部品は当社の認定施設で製造され、国際的な医療機器基準に準拠しています。各部品は出荷前に検証試験を受けます。また、規制監査のための完全な文書も保管しています。これにより、契約期間中、貴施設の機器が最適な性能を維持することが保証されます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal demonstrates a comprehensive approach to equipment reliability. I appreciate the detailed explanation. Let me consult with our management team and I will contact you within one week with our decision.
(素晴らしい。貴社の提案は機器の信頼性に対する包括的なアプローチを示していますね。詳細な説明に感謝します。経営陣と相談させていただき、1週間以内に決定をご連絡いたします。)
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)

Long-term maintenance contracts with overseas medical institutions are being negotiated, covering technical support and service scope.
海外医療機関との長期保守契約締結に向け、技術サポート範囲と持続可能な保守体制を提案している場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We need to discuss the long-term maintenance contract for the medical equipment. Could you outline the scope of maintenance and technical support you can provide?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Certainly. Our maintenance contract consists of three main components. First, we carry out preventive inspections every 3 months to [検出する] potential issues early. Second, we provide emergency on-site support within 4 hours. Third, we supply genuine spare parts with guaranteed availability for 10 years.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The 4-hour response time sounds promising. However, what happens if a critical failure occurs outside regular business hours? Our hospital operates around the clock.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
We understand your concern. We assign a dedicated technical team to your facility with 24-hour availability. For after-hours emergencies, our engineers can be on-site within 2 hours. We also install remote monitoring systems to [予測する] equipment issues before they [引き起こす] service interruptions.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
That addresses our immediate needs. But I'm concerned about the total cost. The annual fee you submitted seems considerably higher than our current contract. Can you elaborate on the pricing structure?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Let me explain our [計算する]. The fee consists of four elements. First, the 24-hour engineer assignment accounts for 40 percent of the cost. Second, the guaranteed parts inventory adds 25 percent. Third, the remote monitoring system represents 20 percent. Fourth, quarterly preventive maintenance makes up the remainder. However, we can reduce the annual cost by 8 percent if you [約束する] to a 5-year contract instead of 3 years.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The breakdown is helpful. One final question: how do you ensure the quality of replacement parts? We cannot compromise patient safety.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Quality is our top priority. All spare parts are manufactured at our certified facilities and [準拠する] international medical device standards. Each component undergoes validation testing before shipment. We also [維持する] complete documentation for regulatory audits. This [保証する] your equipment maintains optimal performance throughout the contract period.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal demonstrates a comprehensive approach to equipment reliability. I appreciate the detailed explanation. Let me consult with our management team and I will contact you within one week with our decision.
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)

Long-term maintenance contracts with overseas medical institutions are being negotiated, covering technical support and service scope.
海外医療機関との長期保守契約締結に向け、技術サポート範囲と持続可能な保守体制を提案している場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Thank you for coming today. We need to discuss the long-term maintenance contract for the medical equipment. Could you outline the scope of maintenance and technical support you can provide?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Certainly. Our maintenance contract consists of three main components. [第一に、潜在的な問題を早期に検出するため3か月ごとに予防点検を実施します。] [第二に、4時間以内に緊急の現地サポートを提供します。] Third, we supply genuine spare parts with guaranteed availability for 10 years.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The 4-hour response time sounds promising. However, what happens if a critical failure occurs outside regular business hours? Our hospital operates around the clock.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
We understand your concern. [貴施設には24時間対応可能な専任の技術チームを配置します。] For after-hours emergencies, our engineers can be on-site within 2 hours. We also install remote monitoring systems to anticipate equipment issues before they trigger service interruptions.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
That addresses our immediate needs. But I'm concerned about the total cost. The annual fee you submitted seems considerably higher than our current contract. Can you elaborate on the pricing structure?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
[当社の計算について説明させてください。] The fee consists of four elements. First, the 24-hour engineer assignment accounts for 40 percent of the cost. Second, the guaranteed parts inventory adds 25 percent. Third, the remote monitoring system represents 20 percent. Fourth, quarterly preventive maintenance makes up the remainder. However, we can reduce the annual cost by 8 percent if you commit to a 5-year contract instead of 3 years.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
The breakdown is helpful. One final question: how do you ensure the quality of replacement parts? We cannot compromise patient safety.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Maintenance Engineer】:
Quality is our top priority. All spare parts are manufactured at our certified facilities and comply with international medical device standards. Each component undergoes validation testing before shipment. We also maintain complete documentation for regulatory audits. This ensures your equipment maintains optimal performance throughout the contract period.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal demonstrates a comprehensive approach to equipment reliability. I appreciate the detailed explanation. Let me consult with our management team and I will contact you within one week with our decision.
\ 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 hospital procurement manager is reviewing a long-term maintenance contract proposal for medical equipment.
The maintenance engineer must explain the service scope, response time, parts supply, and cost structure.
海外の医療機関の調達担当者が医療機器の長期保守契約提案を検討している。
保守エンジニアはサービス範囲、対応時間、部品供給、費用構造を説明しなければならない。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Hospital Procurement Manager】:
We are considering your maintenance proposal. Could you explain how your service ensures our equipment operates reliably while controlling costs?
(貴社の保守提案を検討しています。費用を抑えながら当院の機器が確実に稼働することを、貴社のサービスがどのように保証する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. Describe the maintenance components
2. Explain the emergency response system
3. Present the cost breakdown
4. Clarify quality assurance measures
​※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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