🎧 Audio
📖 Script
In recent times, many American companies, including Amazon, are trying a new strategy. They believe they can increase their profits without hiring more workers. Amazon, one of the largest companies in the world, recently announced that it would lay off 14,000 employees. This number is about 4 percent of its total workforce. This decision is part of a broader trend among large companies in the United States. These companies are betting that they can still grow financially while reducing the number of their employees.
Amazon’s decision reflects a shift in how companies are thinking about their workforce. Traditionally, when a company wanted to grow, it would hire more people. However, with advancements in technology and changes in the global economy, companies are exploring ways to grow without increasing their staff numbers. They are using technology to improve efficiency and productivity. For example, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are helping companies do more with fewer people.
This trend is not only happening at Amazon. Other big companies are also adopting this strategy. They are focusing on improving their operations and using technology to enhance their business processes. This approach allows them to cut costs and maximize profits, even if they are not hiring as many new employees.
However, this trend raises concerns. Many people worry about the impact on workers. Job security becomes a major issue when companies reduce their workforce. Employees may feel uncertain about their job future, and there may be fewer job opportunities available. Additionally, the reliance on technology can also lead to a loss of personal touch in customer service and other areas.
In conclusion, while companies like Amazon are finding new ways to grow and maximize profits, it is important to consider the impact on workers and the job market. As technology continues to evolve, companies and employees will need to adapt to these changes. It will be crucial to find a balance between technological advancement and human employment to ensure a stable economy and society.
📝 Vocabulary
- lay off: to dismiss workers from employment, often temporarily（解雇する）
例文: “The company had to lay off several employees due to budget cuts.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- lay off staff
- lay off workers
- lay off employees
- workforce: all the people working in a company or country（労働力）
例文: “The company is trying to expand its workforce next year.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- skilled workforce
- workforce reduction
- diverse workforce
- maximize: to increase something as much as possible（最大化する）
例文: “The goal is to maximize profits by reducing costs.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- maximize efficiency
- maximize potential
- maximize output
- trend: a general direction in which something is developing or changing（傾向、トレンド）
例文: “There is a trend towards remote working in many industries.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- latest trend
- follow a trend
- set a trend
- automation: the use of machines to do work that was previously done by people（自動化）
例文: “Automation is transforming the manufacturing industry.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- automation technology
- process automation
- automation system
✏️ Grammar Point
Present Continuous Tense – “Amazon is laying off 14,000 employees.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
ビジネスや日常会話で、現在進行中の出来事や計画を話すときに使用されます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Amazon is laying off 14,000 workers because they want to hire new employees.
- MCQ: What percentage of Amazon’s workforce is being laid off?
a) 2%
b) 4%
c) 6%
d) 8% - MCQ: What is one reason companies are reducing their workforce?
a) To increase the number of employees
b) To decrease technology use
c) To improve efficiency and productivity
d) To expand their physical offices
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) 4%
- c) To improve efficiency and productivity
📚 Reading Questions
- What percentage of Amazon’s workforce is being laid off?
- Why are companies like Amazon focusing on using technology to grow?
- What does the word “maximize” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- 4 percent
- To improve efficiency and productivity
- To increase something as much as possible
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アマゾンを含む多くのアメリカ企業が、雇用を増やさずに利益を最大化する戦略をとっています。アマゾンは最近、従業員の約4％にあたる14,000人を解雇すると発表しました。これは、効率を高めるために技術を活用しつつ、コストを削減するという新しいトレンドの一部です。このような動きは、特にAIや自動化技術の進展によって加速しています。しかし、雇用が減少することによる労働者への影響も懸念されており、企業と従業員の双方がこの変化に適応する必要があります。社会的安定を保つためには、技術の進歩と人間の雇用のバランスを見つけることが重要です。
