A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up
- Vocab List
- Reading and Audio
- Main Idea Choose the overall message of the text.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Multiple Choice Check understanding.
- Words That Go Together Connect words and collocated phrases from the lesson.
- New Sentences Choose words to complete sentences in new contexts.
- Discussion Builder Choose connecting expressions for discussion ideas.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: Why do you think Japanese companies are looking more closely at India?
a) They want access to a growing market outside Japan.
b) They are responding to rapidly rising demand inside Japan.
c) They are concentrating more of their business in China.
VOCAB LIST
Reading
Japanese companies are expanding their presence in India. Consumer brands such as Uniqlo and Muji are opening more stores, but the trend goes far beyond retail. Japanese firms are also increasing investment in banking, technology, manufacturing, computer chips, and green energy.
One major reason is Japan's shrinking domestic market. The country's population has been declining for years, which means weaker demand at home. For companies that want to keep growing, expanding into overseas markets is becoming increasingly important. India, with its large economy and growing demand, has become an attractive target.
Japanese companies are also trying to reduce their dependence on China. Years of supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have encouraged many firms to spread their business across more countries. However, this does not mean they are abandoning China. Instead, they are trying to reduce risk by avoiding too much dependence on a single market.
Closer ties between the Japanese and Indian governments have also supported this trend. Private companies are now driving much of the latest investment, with Japanese firms announcing billions of dollars in new projects.
India is not an easy place to do business. Foreign investors still face bureaucracy, tax uncertainty, and delays in getting approvals. If India can reduce these difficulties, it may attract even more Japanese investment in the years ahead.
Why Japan Is Looking to India
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: Why do you think Japanese companies are looking more closely at India?
a) They want access to a growing market outside Japan.
b) They are responding to rapidly rising demand inside Japan.
c) They are concentrating more of their business in China.
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consumer brand (n. phrase)
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retail (n.)
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investment (n.)
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manufacturing (n.)
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domestic market (n. phrase)
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demand (n.)
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supply chain disruption (n. phrase)
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geopolitical tension (n. phrase)
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drive (v.)
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bureaucracy (n.)
Japanese companies are expanding their presence in India. Consumer brands such as Uniqlo and Muji are opening more stores, but the trend goes far beyond retail. Japanese firms are also increasing investment in banking, technology, manufacturing, computer chips, and green energy.
One major reason is Japan's shrinking domestic market. The country's population has been declining for years, which means weaker demand at home. For companies that want to keep growing, expanding into overseas markets is becoming increasingly important. India, with its large economy and growing demand, has become an attractive target.
Japanese companies are also trying to reduce their dependence on China. Years of supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have encouraged many firms to spread their business across more countries. However, this does not mean they are abandoning China. Instead, they are trying to reduce risk by avoiding too much dependence on a single market.
Closer ties between the Japanese and Indian governments have also supported this trend. Private companies are now driving much of the latest investment, with Japanese firms announcing billions of dollars in new projects.
India is not an easy place to do business. Foreign investors still face bureaucracy, tax uncertainty, and delays in getting approvals. If India can reduce these difficulties, it may attract even more Japanese investment in the years ahead.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
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Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Japanese companies are expanding their presence in India. Consumer brands such as Uniqlo and Muji are opening more (1) , but the trend goes far beyond retail. Japanese firms are also increasing investment in banking, technology, manufacturing, computer chips, and green energy.
One major reason is Japan's shrinking domestic market. The country's (2) has been declining for years, which means weaker demand at home. For companies that want to keep growing, expanding into overseas markets is becoming increasingly important. India, with its large economy and growing demand, has become an attractive target.
Japanese companies are also trying to reduce their dependence on China. Years of supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions have encouraged many firms to spread their (3) across more countries. However, this does not mean they are abandoning China. Instead, they are trying to reduce risk by avoiding too much dependence on a single market.
Closer ties between the Japanese and Indian governments have also supported this (4) . Private companies are now driving much of the latest investment, with Japanese firms announcing billions of dollars in new projects.
India is not an easy place to do (5) . Foreign investors still face bureaucracy, tax uncertainty, and delays in getting (6) . If India can reduce these difficulties, it may attract even more Japanese investment in the years ahead.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- Japanese companies are turning to India for growth while trying to reduce business risk. Correct answer
- Japanese companies are mainly using India to replace their business operations in China.
- Japanese companies are expanding in India mostly because of stronger government agreements.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Japan's shrinking population is one reason its companies are looking for growth overseas. TRUEFALSE True
2. Japanese companies are moving all of their business out of China and into India. TRUEFALSE False
3. India's business environment still creates difficulties for some foreign investors. TRUEFALSE True
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. What does the story show about Japanese business activity in India?
a) It is growing mainly through large financial investments.
b) It is expanding across several different industries.Correct
c) It is developing mostly in manufacturing and technology.
2. Why is India described as an attractive market for Japanese companies?
a) It has a large economy and growing demand.Correct
b) It has fewer business barriers than other major markets.
c) It has become a complete replacement for China.
3. What role are private companies playing in the latest Japan-India investment trend?
a) They are mainly following plans created by the two governments.
b) They are supporting the trend but are not its main force.
c) They are driving much of the recent investment.Correct
4. What may happen if India reduces some of the difficulties foreign investors face?
a) It may attract more Japanese investment.Correct
b) It may encourage companies to focus more on Japan.
c) It may make foreign companies less interested in expanding.
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. openf) more stores
2. increasee) investment
3. reduced) dependence
4. facec) bureaucracy
5. getb) approvals
6. spreada) business across more countries
a) business across more countries
b) approvals
c) bureaucracy
d) dependence
e) investment
f) more stores
New Sentences
Choose the best word for each new sentence.
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Strong reviews can help a new {blank} become popular very quickly.
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Online shopping has changed the {blank} industry in many countries.
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The company made a large {blank} in new equipment for its factories.
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Higher wages can increase {blank} for restaurants, travel, and entertainment.
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A strike at a major port caused a serious {blank} for several companies.
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New technology can {blank} major changes in the way people work.
New Sentences
Use the words in the bank to complete the new sentences.
bureaucracy / consumer brand / demand / drive / investment / manufacturing / retail / supply chain disruption
- Strong reviews can help a new become popular very quickly.
- Online shopping has changed the industry in many countries.
- The company made a large in new equipment for its factories.
- Higher wages can increase for restaurants, travel, and entertainment.
- A strike at a major port caused a serious for several companies.
- New technology can major changes in the way people work.
Discussion Builder
1) Reason 2) Reason 3) Example
Q: Do you shop at Uniqlo or Muji? What do you like or dislike about them?
A:Q: Do you think relying too much on one market is risky for a company? Why?
A:Q: What kinds of difficulties do foreign companies often face when they enter a new country?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: Do you shop at Uniqlo or Muji? What do you like or dislike about them?
A: I shop at Uniqlo quite often. I like the simple designs and reasonable prices.
The main reason is that / For example, / On the other hand, / As a result,
I shop at Uniqlo quite often. The main reason is that I like the simple designs and reasonable prices.
Q: Do you think relying too much on one market is risky for a company? Why?
A: Yes, I think relying too much on one market is risky a sudden economic or political problem could seriously affect the whole business.
because / although / unless / while
Yes, I think relying too much on one market is risky because a sudden economic or political problem could seriously affect the whole business.
Q: What kinds of difficulties do foreign companies often face when they enter a new country?
A: Foreign companies can face many difficulties when they enter a new country. , they may have to deal with unfamiliar laws and complicated approval processes.
For example, / In my opinion, / As a result, / On the other hand,
Foreign companies can face many difficulties when they enter a new country. For example,, they may have to deal with unfamiliar laws and complicated approval processes.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think India is attractive to Japanese companies?
- What kinds of Japanese products or brands are popular in your country?
- Do you shop at Uniqlo or Muji? What do you like or dislike about them?
- Do you think relying too much on one market is risky for a company? Why?
- What problems can supply chain disruptions cause for ordinary customers?
- Which is more important for a company choosing a new market: size, growth, cost, or stability?
- Would you prefer to work for a local company or an international company? Why?
- Can you think of a foreign company that has become very successful where you live?
- What kinds of difficulties do foreign companies often face when they enter a new country?
- How can a shrinking population affect businesses in a country?
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think India is attractive to Japanese companies?
- What kinds of Japanese products or brands are popular in your country?
- Do you shop at Uniqlo or Muji? What do you like or dislike about them?
- Do you think relying too much on one market is risky for a company? Why?
- What problems can supply chain disruptions cause for ordinary customers?
- Which is more important for a company choosing a new market: size, growth, cost, or stability?
- Would you prefer to work for a local company or an international company? Why?
- Can you think of a foreign company that has become very successful where you live?
- What kinds of difficulties do foreign companies often face when they enter a new country?
- How can a shrinking population affect businesses in a country?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) stores, (2) population, (3) business, (4) trend, (5) business, (6) approvals
Main Idea: Japanese companies are turning to India for growth while trying to reduce business risk.
True or False:
- True. The story says weaker demand in Japan's domestic market is pushing companies to expand abroad.
- False. The story says they are not abandoning China. They are spreading their business to reduce risk.
- True. The story mentions bureaucracy, tax uncertainty, and delays in getting approvals.
Multiple Choice: b, a, c, a
Vocabulary:
- open: more stores
- increase: investment
- reduce: dependence
- face: bureaucracy
- get: approvals
- spread: business across more countries
New Sentences: 1. consumer brand; 2. retail; 3. investment; 4. demand; 5. supply chain disruption; 6. drive
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Reason. 3) Example.
- The main reason is that
- because
- For example,