🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Manufacturing has become a hot topic among politicians in the United States. It appears that while there are many issues on which political leaders disagree, they all seem to agree on the importance of revitalizing manufacturing. Both parties are working hard to make the U.S. a leading force in manufacturing once again. But why is manufacturing considered so special and important for the economy?
Manufacturing is often seen as the backbone of the economy because it creates many jobs and supports other sectors like services and logistics. It is believed that a strong manufacturing sector can help strengthen the middle class. However, despite its importance, many manufacturing jobs in the U.S. remain unfilled. This raises the question: If these jobs are so great, why aren’t they being taken?
One reason could be the changing nature of manufacturing jobs. Unlike the past, modern manufacturing often requires advanced skills and training. Many positions now involve working with technology and machinery, which can be intimidating for some people. On the other hand, the wages offered for some manufacturing jobs may not be attractive enough to draw in workers, especially if the jobs are physically demanding.
Another factor is the competition from overseas. Many companies find it cheaper to produce goods in countries where labor is less expensive. This has led to a decline in manufacturing jobs in the U.S. over the years. However, there are efforts to bring these jobs back. Leaders believe that by improving education and training programs, and by offering incentives to companies, they can make the U.S. a manufacturing powerhouse once again.
To understand more about the current state of manufacturing in the U.S., various resources are available. For instance, there are stories about garment workers who produce clothing labeled “Made in the U.S.” and discussions on why Americans are not filling existing manufacturing jobs. There are also insights into what makes manufacturing jobs special and how they could help rebuild the middle class. Additionally, there are debates on whether reviving manufacturing could help less developed areas catch up with major cities.
📝 Vocabulary
- Backbone: the most important part of something
例文: “Manufacturing is considered the backbone of the economy.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- economic backbone
- backbone of society
- organizational backbone
中核、要 - Revitalize: to give new life or energy to something
例文: “The government is trying to revitalize the manufacturing sector.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- revitalize the economy
- revitalize a city
- revitalize efforts
活性化する - Incentive: something that encourages a person to do something
例文: “Companies are offered tax incentives to create more jobs.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- financial incentive
- provide an incentive
- offer incentives
動機付け - Intimidating: making you feel frightened or nervous
例文: “The advanced machinery in factories can be intimidating to new workers.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- intimidating presence
- find it intimidating
- intimidating task
威圧的な - Decline: a decrease in something
例文: “There has been a decline in manufacturing jobs over the years.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- decline in numbers
- economic decline
- gradual decline
減少
✏️ Grammar Point
Passive Voice – “Many manufacturing jobs in the U.S. remain unfilled.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
受動態は、行動を行う主体よりも行動の結果に焦点を当てたいときに使用されます。ビジネスでは、特定の行動がどのように影響を受けたかを説明する際に役立ちます。
📝 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: The article suggests that all politicians agree on the importance of manufacturing.
- MCQ: What is one reason why manufacturing jobs remain unfilled?
a) They do not require special skills.
b) The pay is too high.
c) They involve working with technology.
d) There is no competition from overseas. - MCQ: What is one suggestion to make the U.S. a manufacturing powerhouse again?
a) Increase taxes on manufacturing companies.
b) Reduce education and training programs.
c) Offer incentives to companies.
d) Import more goods from overseas.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- c) They involve working with technology.
- c) Offer incentives to companies.
📚 Reading Questions
- What is often considered the backbone of the economy according to the article?
- Why aren’t Americans filling the manufacturing jobs available?
- What does the word “incentive” mean in the context of the article?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- Manufacturing is considered the backbone of the economy.
- Americans might not fill manufacturing jobs due to the need for advanced skills and unattractive wages.
- Incentive means something that encourages a person to do something.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アメリカの製造業は、長らく経済の中核として重要視されてきました。しかし、近年では技術の進化や海外の安価な労働力との競争によって、多くの製造業の仕事が失われています。このため、アメリカは再び製造業を活性化しようとしています。政府は教育や訓練プログラムの改善、企業へのインセンティブ提供を行い、国内での製造業を強化する方針です。国内の中間層の復活や地域格差の是正にもつながる可能性があり、今後の動向が注目されます。
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/18/1255880057/manufacturing-america-tariffs-apprenticeships-wages
