Sarah Chen had been preparing for this business trip for weeks. She was going to Tokyo to negotiate a partnership with a Japanese technology company. Her flight was scheduled to leave at seven in the morning. The alarm rang at four, and she quickly got out of bed. She had packed her suitcase the night before, checking everything twice. Her presentation materials were saved on her laptop and backed up online. The taxi arrived exactly on time, and she headed to the airport. At the check-in counter, the attendant informed her that the flight was delayed. There was a mechanical issue with the aircraft that needed to be fixed. Sarah sighed and found a seat near the gate to wait. She decided to use the extra time to review her presentation one more time. After two hours, the passengers were finally allowed to board. She found her seat by the window and settled in for the long flight. The flight attendant offered her a blanket and a pillow. Sarah tried to sleep but kept thinking about the upcoming meeting. Twelve hours later, the plane landed at Tokyo Narita Airport. She collected her luggage and went through customs without any problems. A driver was waiting for her in the arrivals hall with a sign that had her name on it. The drive to the hotel took about an hour due to heavy traffic. Sarah checked into her room and unpacked her business clothes. She had a video call scheduled with her boss to discuss the strategy. The internet connection in the hotel was excellent. Her boss reminded her about the importance of respecting Japanese business culture. Exchanging business cards properly was essential at the first meeting. Sarah practiced her greeting and made sure her cards were ready. She went to bed early because she was exhausted from the journey. The next morning, she woke up feeling refreshed and confident. She put on her best suit and checked her appearance in the mirror. The meeting was at ten o'clock at the company's headquarters downtown. Sarah arrived fifteen minutes early, which was considered polite in Japan. The receptionist greeted her warmly and offered her green tea. Soon, three representatives from the Japanese company arrived. Mr. Tanaka was the chief executive officer and the main decision-maker. They exchanged business cards with both hands, bowing slightly. Sarah remembered to examine each card carefully before putting it away. The meeting began with polite conversation about her journey and the weather. Then they moved on to discuss the potential partnership. Sarah presented her company's proposal with confidence. She explained the benefits of working together and showed the projected numbers. Mr. Tanaka listened attentively and asked several thoughtful questions. The negotiation was challenging because both sides had different expectations. Sarah remained patient and professional throughout the discussion. They agreed to take a break for lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious, and Sarah tried several dishes she had never eaten before. During lunch, the conversation became more personal and relaxed. Mr. Tanaka spoke about his family and asked about Sarah's hobbies. Building a personal relationship was important in Japanese business culture. After lunch, they returned to the conference room to continue talking. The afternoon session was more productive than the morning. Both parties started to find common ground on the key issues. By five o'clock, they had agreed on most of the major terms. However, there was still one point that needed further discussion. Mr. Tanaka suggested they continue the conversation at dinner. Sarah accepted the invitation gratefully. That evening, they went to an elegant restaurant overlooking the city. The view from the restaurant was breathtaking at night. Over dinner, they finally reached an agreement on the remaining issue. Mr. Tanaka seemed pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. He said his company was looking forward to the partnership. Sarah felt relieved and proud of what she had accomplished. The next day, the lawyers prepared the official contract. Both parties reviewed the document carefully before signing. Sarah signed on behalf of her company with a sense of achievement. Mr. Tanaka invited her to a factory tour before she left Japan. She was impressed by the advanced technology and efficient production. The workers were highly skilled and dedicated to their jobs. Sarah took notes and photographs to share with her team back home. On her last evening in Tokyo, she explored the city on her own. She visited a famous temple and walked through a traditional garden. The beauty of the garden made her forget about work for a moment. She bought some souvenirs for her colleagues and family. The next morning, she checked out of the hotel and headed to the airport. The flight home seemed shorter because she was so satisfied with the results. Her boss called her to congratulate her on the successful negotiation. Sarah knew this trip would be remembered as a turning point in her career.
English Story (B1)The Business Trip
This B1 English story is designed for intermediate learners. Click any word for instant translation and build your vocabulary as you read.
aboutStory
Sarah Chen travels to Tokyo to negotiate a business partnership with a Japanese technology company. Despite flight delays and challenging negotiations, she successfully reaches an agreement by respecting Japanese business culture and building personal relationships.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Why was Sarah's flight delayed at the airport?
2
What was important about exchanging business cards in Japan?
3
Where did Sarah and Mr. Tanaka reach the final agreement?
4
