＜Upper-Intermediate＞ Lesson No.17
Strategic Review of Overseas Joint Venture / 海外合弁事業の戦略見直し
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
Ten-year Chinese joint venture requires strategic review for electric vehicle transition and digital technology adoption, establishing next decade business plans with partners.
中国合弁事業が設立10年を迎え、電気自動車転換とデジタル技術活用に向けた戦略見直しと次の10年の事業戦略を合弁パートナーと策定する場面です。
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．Let me outline three key areas...（3つの重要分野を概説させてください...）
２．We estimate the initial investment at...（初期投資を...と見積もっています）
３．We anticipate breaking even within...（...以内に損益分岐点に達すると予想しています）
４．We propose a balanced approach...（バランスの取れたアプローチを提案します）
５．We will establish a joint steering committee...（共同運営委員会を設立します）
６．We have considered that risk carefully...（そのリスクは慎重に検討しました）
７．We will proceed with a phased investment approach...（段階的投資アプローチで進めます）
1-2 Essential words
１．elaborate（詳しく説明する）
２．estimate（見積もる）
３．modernization（近代化）
４．accelerate（加速する）
５．considerable（かなりの）
６．coordinate（調整する）
７．commitment（コミットメント）
８．monitor（監視する）
９．enhance（高める）
１０．proceed（進める）
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）
Ten-year Chinese joint venture requires strategic review for electric vehicle transition and digital technology adoption, establishing next decade business plans with partners.
中国合弁事業が設立10年を迎え、電気自動車転換とデジタル技術活用に向けた戦略見直しと次の10年の事業戦略を合弁パートナーと策定する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Thank you for meeting today. Our joint venture has reached its 10-year milestone, and I believe we need to discuss how to adapt our strategy to the changing market environment.
（本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。合弁事業が10年の節目を迎え、変化する市場環境に戦略を適応させる方法について話し合う必要があると考えています。）
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
I appreciate your initiative. Let me outline three key areas for our discussion. First, the transition to electric vehicles. Second, the utilization of digital technology. Third, reaching new customer segments.
（ご提案に感謝します。議論すべき3つの重要分野を概説させてください。第一に、電気自動車への転換です。第二に、デジタル技術の活用です。第三に、新しい顧客層へのリーチです。）
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
I agree these are critical areas. However, I am concerned about the investment required for electric vehicle development. Can you elaborate on the expected costs and timeline?
（これらが重要な分野であることに同意します。しかし、電気自動車開発に必要な投資について懸念しています。予想されるコストとスケジュールについて詳しく説明していただけますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We estimate the initial investment at 50000000 USD over 3 years. This includes manufacturing facility modernization and battery technology development. We anticipate breaking even within 5 years as the electric vehicle market accelerates in China.
（初期投資は3年間で50000000米ドルと見積もっています。これには製造施設の近代化とバッテリー技術開発が含まれます。中国の電気自動車市場が加速するにつれ、5年以内に損益分岐点に達すると予想しています。）
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That is a considerable amount. What about the role allocation between our companies? We want to ensure both partners contribute fairly and benefit equally from this investment.
（それはかなりの金額ですね。両社間の役割分担についてはどうでしょうか？両パートナーが公平に貢献し、この投資から平等に利益を得られるようにしたいのです。）
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We propose a balanced approach. Your company will lead local market assessment and digital platform development, utilizing your strong network in China. Our company will coordinate global technology transfer and supply chain management. We will share profits equally based on this commitment.
（バランスの取れたアプローチを提案します。貴社は中国での強力なネットワークを活用し、現地市場評価とデジタルプラットフォーム開発を主導します。当社はグローバルな技術移転とサプライチェーン管理を調整します。このコミットメントに基づき、利益を平等に分配します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
The profit-sharing sounds fair. But I need clarification on one point. How will we monitor the progress of each partner's contribution to avoid any discrepancy?
（利益分配は公平に聞こえます。しかし、1点明確にしたいことがあります。不一致を避けるため、各パートナーの貢献の進捗をどのように監視しますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We will establish a joint steering committee that meets quarterly. The committee will assess milestone achievements and investment status from both sides. We will also implement a shared digital dashboard to enhance visibility of all activities in real time.
（四半期ごとに会合する共同運営委員会を設立します。委員会は双方のマイルストーン達成状況と投資状況を評価します。また、すべての活動のリアルタイムでの可視性を高めるため、共有デジタルダッシュボードを導入します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That transparency mechanism is reassuring. One last concern. What if market conditions worsen or the electric vehicle transition is delayed? Do we have contingency plans?
（その透明性の仕組みは安心できます。最後の懸念が1つあります。市場環境が悪化したり、電気自動車への転換が遅れたりした場合はどうしますか？緊急時対応計画はありますか？）
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We have considered that risk carefully. We will proceed with a phased investment approach, starting with 30 percent of the total budget in year one. If market conditions remain stable and demand evolves as anticipated, we will accelerate the remaining investment. This reduces our exposure while maintaining flexibility.
（そのリスクは慎重に検討しました。初年度に総予算の30パーセントから始める段階的投資アプローチで進めます。市場環境が安定し、需要が予想通りに進化すれば、残りの投資を加速します。これにより柔軟性を維持しながらリスクを軽減します。）
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Excellent. Your phased approach mitigates the risk effectively. I am confident we can collaborate successfully on this strategy for the next decade. Let us coordinate with our teams and launch the planning process next month.
（素晴らしい。段階的アプローチはリスクを効果的に軽減しますね。今後10年間、この戦略で成功裏に協力できると確信しています。チームと調整し、来月に計画プロセスを開始しましょう。）
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）
Ten-year Chinese joint venture requires strategic review for electric vehicle transition and digital technology adoption, establishing next decade business plans with partners.
中国合弁事業が設立10年を迎え、電気自動車転換とデジタル技術活用に向けた戦略見直しと次の10年の事業戦略を合弁パートナーと策定する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Thank you for meeting today. Our joint venture has reached its 10-year milestone, and I believe we need to discuss how to adapt our strategy to the changing market environment.
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
I appreciate your initiative. Let me outline three key areas for our discussion. First, the transition to electric vehicles. Second, the utilization of digital technology. Third, reaching new customer segments.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
I agree these are critical areas. However, I am concerned about the investment required for electric vehicle development. Can you elaborate on the expected costs and timeline?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We ［見積もる］ the initial investment at 50000000 USD over 3 years. This includes manufacturing facility ［近代化］ and battery technology development. We anticipate breaking even within 5 years as the electric vehicle market ［加速する］s in China.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That is a considerable amount. What about the role allocation between our companies? We want to ensure both partners contribute fairly and benefit equally from this investment.
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We propose a balanced approach. Your company will lead local market assessment and digital platform development, utilizing your strong network in China. Our company will ［調整する］ global technology transfer and supply chain management. We will share profits equally based on this ［コミットメント］.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
The profit-sharing sounds fair. But I need clarification on one point. How will we monitor the progress of each partner's contribution to avoid any discrepancy?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We will establish a joint steering committee that meets quarterly. The committee will assess milestone achievements and investment status from both sides. We will also implement a shared digital dashboard to ［高める］ visibility of all activities in real time.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That transparency mechanism is reassuring. One last concern. What if market conditions worsen or the electric vehicle transition is delayed? Do we have contingency plans?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We have ［詳しく説明する］d that risk carefully. We will ［進める］ with a phased investment approach, starting with 30 percent of the total budget in year one. If market conditions remain stable and demand evolves as anticipated, we will ［加速する］ the remaining investment. This reduces our exposure while maintaining flexibility.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Excellent. Your phased approach mitigates the risk effectively. I am confident we can collaborate successfully on this strategy for the next decade. Let us coordinate with our teams and launch the planning process next month.
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）
Ten-year Chinese joint venture requires strategic review for electric vehicle transition and digital technology adoption, establishing next decade business plans with partners.
中国合弁事業が設立10年を迎え、電気自動車転換とデジタル技術活用に向けた戦略見直しと次の10年の事業戦略を合弁パートナーと策定する場面です。
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Thank you for meeting today. Our joint venture has reached its 10-year milestone, and I believe we need to discuss how to adapt our strategy to the changing market environment.
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
I appreciate your initiative. ［議論すべき3つの重要分野を概説させてください。］ First, the transition to electric vehicles. Second, the utilization of digital technology. Third, reaching new customer segments.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
I agree these are critical areas. However, I am concerned about the investment required for electric vehicle development. Can you elaborate on the expected costs and timeline?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
［初期投資は3年間で50000000米ドルと見積もっています。］ This includes manufacturing facility modernization and battery technology development. ［中国の電気自動車市場が加速するにつれ、5年以内に損益分岐点に達すると予想しています。］
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That is a considerable amount. What about the role allocation between our companies? We want to ensure both partners contribute fairly and benefit equally from this investment.
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
［バランスの取れたアプローチを提案します。］ Your company will lead local market assessment and digital platform development, utilizing your strong network in China. Our company will coordinate global technology transfer and supply chain management. We will share profits equally based on this commitment.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
The profit-sharing sounds fair. But I need clarification on one point. How will we monitor the progress of each partner's contribution to avoid any discrepancy?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We will establish a joint steering committee that meets quarterly. The committee will assess milestone achievements and investment status from both sides. We will also implement a shared digital dashboard to enhance visibility of all activities in real time.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
That transparency mechanism is reassuring. One last concern. What if market conditions worsen or the electric vehicle transition is delayed? Do we have contingency plans?
🧑🎓【Student / Overseas Sales Manager】:
We have considered that risk carefully. ［初年度に総予算の30パーセントから始める段階的投資アプローチで進めます。］ If market conditions remain stable and demand evolves as anticipated, we will accelerate the remaining investment. This reduces our exposure while maintaining flexibility.
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
Excellent. Your phased approach mitigates the risk effectively. I am confident we can collaborate successfully on this strategy for the next decade. Let us coordinate with our teams and launch the planning process next month.
\ 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
Your joint venture with a Chinese partner has reached its 10-year milestone.
You need to discuss strategic adjustments to address market changes including electric vehicle transition and digital technology.
合弁事業が10年の節目を迎えました。
電気自動車への転換やデジタル技術を含む市場変化に対応する戦略調整について話し合う必要があります。
👨💼【Teacher / Joint Venture Partner Representative】:
We have worked together for 10 years successfully. Now, please share your vision for the next decade and how we should allocate our investment and responsibilities.
（10年間成功裏に協力してきました。今後10年のビジョンと、投資と責任をどのように配分すべきか共有してください。）
🧑🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)
Hints / ヒント
１． Outline priority investment areas
２． Estimate required budget and timeline
３． Propose balanced role allocation
４． Describe phased investment strategy
※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)