英語学習

【Asia Business English】Japan second-quarter GDP grows 1.1% on an annualized basis, missing expectations（B1–B2）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Japan’s economy grew by 1.1% on an annualized basis in the second quarter of the year. This growth was lower than what experts had expected, as they had predicted a growth rate of 2%. The main reason for this lower-than-expected growth is a decline in exports. Exports are a crucial part of Japan’s economy, and when they do not perform well, it can affect the overall economic growth.

Another factor affecting Japan’s economy is the strength of the yen. A strong yen makes Japanese goods more expensive for foreign buyers, which can reduce demand for these products abroad. This situation can lead to lower sales and profits for Japanese companies that rely on exports.

The slower growth is a concern for Japan as it tries to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has been working on various measures to support the economy, including fiscal stimulus packages. However, the results have been mixed, and the economy is still facing challenges.

In response to the current situation, the Japanese government may need to consider additional measures to boost economic growth. These could include further fiscal stimulus or policies to encourage domestic consumption. The government and businesses are closely watching the situation and planning their next steps.

Despite the challenges, there are still opportunities for growth in Japan’s economy. The country is known for its technological innovation, which could help drive future growth. Additionally, Japan’s aging population presents both a challenge and an opportunity, as it creates demand for new products and services tailored to older adults.

Overall, while Japan’s recent economic growth has been slower than expected, there are still areas of potential. The government and businesses will need to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure sustainable growth in the future.

📝 Vocabulary

  • annualized: calculated for a year
    例文: “The company’s profits were annualized to give a clearer picture of its performance.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • annualized growth
    • annualized rate
    • annualized return
    年率換算
  • estimate: an approximate calculation
    例文: “The estimate for the project was higher than expected.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • make an estimate
    • rough estimate
    • cost estimate
    見積もり
  • export: selling goods to another country
    例文: “Japan exports many cars to different parts of the world.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • export goods
    • export market
    • export industry
    輸出
  • stimulus: something that encourages growth or activity
    例文: “The government introduced a stimulus to boost the economy.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • economic stimulus
    • stimulus package
    • fiscal stimulus
    刺激策
  • consumption: the act of using goods and services
    例文: “There has been an increase in the consumption of organic products.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • consumption pattern
    • energy consumption
    • domestic consumption
    消費

✏️ Grammar Point

Comparative structure – “Another factor affecting Japan’s economy is the strength of the yen.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
日本語での簡単な補足説明

💡 使用場面

(この構文は、異なる要素や選択肢を比較する際に使用されます。)

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘Another factor we need to consider is the impact of market trends on our sales strategy.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: Japan’s economy grew by 2% in the second quarter of the year.
  2. MCQ: What was one reason for Japan’s lower-than-expected economic growth?
    a) Increase in domestic consumption
    b) Decline in exports
    c) Rise in foreign investments
    d) Growth in the technology sector
  3. MCQ: What might the Japanese government consider to boost economic growth?
    a) Reducing taxes
    b) Increasing exports
    c) Introducing further fiscal stimulus
    d) Strengthening the yen
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) Decline in exports
  3. c) Introducing further fiscal stimulus

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What was the actual annualized growth rate of Japan’s economy in the second quarter?
  2. Why might a strong yen negatively affect Japan’s economy?
  3. What does the word “stimulus” mean as used in the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る

    🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

    日本の経済は第2四半期に年率1.1%成長しましたが、これは予想された2%を下回る結果となりました。この成長の鈍化の主な要因は輸出の減少です。輸出は日本経済にとって重要であり、輸出が伸び悩むと全体の経済成長に影響します。また、円高は日本製品を海外の購入者にとって高価にし、需要を減少させる可能性があります。政府は経済を支えるためのさまざまな対策を講じていますが、経済は依然として課題に直面しています。将来的には、さらなる財政刺激策や国内消費を促す政策が必要かもしれません。

    Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/17/japan-gdp-misses-estimates-trade-exports-yen-nikkei.html

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