意見を支えるSupporting Opinions
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- State a clear opinion and identify it explicitly as an opinion rather than a fact.
- Support an opinion with at least one reason and one concrete example.
- Recognize べき and use it in a small number of controlled, well-supported sentences to say what should or should not be done.
- Introduce a concession before disagreeing, using patterns such as 確かに〜が and 〜ものの.
- Cite a source of evidence in a controlled way using phrases such as 例えば and 〜というデータ／話がある.
- Disagree gently using softened language rather than a blunt contradiction.
- Read and write mixed-script Japanese about education, work, technology, community, media, travel, environment, and cultural topics, using kanji strategies for opinion, evidence, and conclusion.
Communication Scenario
Emma's cause-and-result post about the convenience store bag charge attracted several replies in the discussion group, including one from a member who argues that stores should not be allowed to charge for something that used to be free. Emma wants to respond, and she asks Yuki for help before posting. She agrees with part of the other member's concern but disagrees with the overall conclusion, and she wants her reply to sound like a considered opinion rather than a flat contradiction. Yuki suggests that Emma first acknowledge the other member's point, then explain her own opinion with a reason and an example, and finally soften her disagreement rather than stating it directly. This chapter's Practical Performance Task asks you to respond to an opinion on a topic of your choice — from education, work, technology, community, media, travel, environment, or culture — using the same pattern: acknowledge, support your own view, and disagree gently where needed.
- The writer states their own opinion clearly, marked as an opinion.
- The writer supports the opinion with at least one reason and one example.
- The writer acknowledges a different view before disagreeing, and disagrees gently rather than bluntly.
Core Vocabulary
This chapter's vocabulary supports discussing education, work, technology, community, media, travel, environment, and cultural topics. Vocabulary from earlier chapters and volumes remains active.
| Japanese | Reading | English meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 意見 | いけん | opinion | noun; often with 意見を言う/述べる |
| 賛成する | さんせいする | to agree; to be in favor | する verb; often with Nに賛成する |
| 反対する | はんたいする | to disagree; to be opposed | する verb; often with Nに反対する |
| 長所 | ちょうしょ | strong point; advantage | often paired with 短所 |
| 短所 | たんしょ | weak point; disadvantage | often paired with 長所 |
| 主張する | しゅちょうする | to assert; to claim (an opinion) | する verb; more formal than 言う |
| 根拠 | こんきょ | grounds; basis (for a claim) | often with 根拠がある/を示す |
| 結論 | けつろん | conclusion | often with 結論として |
| 立場 | たちば | position; standpoint | often with Nの立場から |
| 例 | れい | example | reviewed from earlier volumes; active for supporting opinions |
賛成する and 反対する form a natural pair, and 長所 and 短所 form another; expect these pairs to recur throughout this unit's opinion work.
れんしゅう — Practice: Choose a topic from education, work, technology, community, media, travel, environment, or culture. Write three sentences about it using 意見, 長所 or 短所, and 根拠.
Script and Kanji Strategy
This chapter's kanji cluster around opinion, evidence, support, opposition, advantage, disadvantage, and conclusion. As in earlier chapters, furigana is provided at first appearance for new kanji and reduced for consolidated Volume II and Chapter 1–3 vocabulary.
賛成 and 反対 both end in a kanji used broadly for stance (成, "to become/form," and 対, "to face/oppose"); noticing that 賛成 and 反対 are structured as opposites can help both words stick together in memory, though this is a memory aid rather than a rule for predicting meaning from components in general. 結論 shares its first kanji, 結, with 結果 from Chapter 3 — both describe an outcome that has "tied together" into a final form, one a result and one a conclusion.
New Volume III kanji introduced in this chapter, such as those above, receive furigana at first appearance and are gradually reduced according to this volume's matrices. Kanji introduced in Chapters 1 through 3, such as 原因, 結果, and 影響, appear with reduced furigana in this chapter's readings.
れんしゅう — Practice: Break 主張 and 立場 into their component kanji, where you can. For each word, write one sentence using it naturally rather than in isolation.
Pronunciation Focus
Several key words in this chapter contain a long vowel or a geminate consonant marked by small っ, and holding these clearly is important for comprehension. 賛成 (さんせい) has a long vowel in せい that should be held for its full two morae, distinct from a shortened せ with no length contrast. 結論 (けつろん) contains the moraic ん, which must keep its own timing slot before ろ.
- 賛成 (さんせい): hold the long vowel in せい for its full two morae.
- 反対 (はんたい): keep the moraic ん distinct in timing from the following た.
- 結論 (けつろん): the moraic ん before ろ must occupy its own mora, not blend directly into ろ.
Practice reading the Building Block example in the Grammar section aloud, paying particular attention to the long vowel in 賛成 and the moraic ん in 反対 and 結論.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
This chapter introduces four connected tools for supporting an opinion: recommending or evaluating an action with べき, conceding a point before disagreeing, citing evidence in a controlled way, and softening disagreement.
Recognizing and using べき
Purpose: to say that an action should or should not be done, based on the speaker's judgment. This chapter authorizes べき for recognition and limited, well-supported production only.
- 学校はもっとコンピューターの授業を増やすべきだと思う。I think schools should offer more computer classes.Vる + べきだと思う — opinion softened with と思う
- この問題については、もっと早く対策を取るべきだった。Regarding this problem, countermeasures should have been taken sooner.Vる + べきだった — past evaluation of an action that was not taken
べき can sound strong and judgmental on its own. In this chapter, べき is authorized mainly together with と思う or in a clearly explained, well-supported opinion, not as a bare statement about other people's behavior.
Conceding a point before disagreeing
Purpose: to acknowledge that part of an opposing view has merit before explaining a different conclusion.
- 確かに値段が上がったのは困るが、環境のためには必要な変化だと思う。It's true that the price increase is a problem, but I think it's a necessary change for the environment.確かに〜が、〜 — concede a point, then state one's own view
- 便利なアプリが増えたものの、使い方が分からない人もまだ多い。Although convenient apps have increased, there are still many people who don't know how to use them.〜ものの、〜 — concession within a single sentence, more formal than が
確かに〜が is common in both speech and writing; ものの is more common in writing and formal speech. Both are authorized here for controlled, supported use only.
Citing evidence in a controlled way
Purpose: to support an opinion with a concrete example or a general reference to information, without overstating certainty.
- 例えば、私の大学では在宅授業のおかげで通学時間が減った学生が多い。For example, at my university, many students have had less commuting time thanks to remote classes.例えば、〜 — introduces a concrete supporting example
- 環境への意識が高まっているというデータもあるようだ。There also seems to be data suggesting that environmental awareness is rising.〜というデータ／話がある + ようだ — cautious reference to a source without overstating certainty
This chapter authorizes general, cautious references to evidence such as 〜というデータ／話がある; it does not require citing or verifying specific named studies or statistics.
Softening disagreement
Purpose: to disagree with part or all of another person's opinion without sounding blunt or confrontational.
- そのご意見も分かりますが、私は少し違う考えを持っています。I understand your opinion, but I have a somewhat different view.分かりますが、〜考えを持っています — acknowledge, then present a different opinion
- それも一つの考え方かもしれませんが、私はこう思います。That might be one way of looking at it, but this is what I think.〜かもしれませんが、〜 — soften disagreement with a hedge before stating one's view
Building an opinion-support paragraph
Grammar Review Practice
- Write one sentence giving an opinion with べきだと思う.
- Write one sentence conceding a point using 確かに〜が.
- Write one sentence citing an example using 例えば.
- Write one sentence softening a disagreement using 〜かもしれませんが.
- Write a short paragraph following the Building Block pattern about a topic of your choice.
Model Dialogue
Setting: Emma drafts a reply to a discussion group member who argues against the bag charge, and shows it to Yuki.
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- What does Emma originally want to write, and why does Yuki think it might be too strong?
- What concession does Yuki suggest Emma include?
- How does Yuki suggest Emma use べき in the reply?
Guided Practice
タスク１ — State an opinion. Choose a topic from education, work, technology, community, media, travel, environment, or culture. Write one sentence stating your opinion clearly, marked with と思う.
タスク２ — Support it. Write one sentence giving a reason for your opinion, and one sentence giving a concrete example using 例えば.
タスク３ — Concede a point. Write one sentence acknowledging a different view using 確かに〜が or 〜ものの.
タスク４ — Soften your disagreement. Write one sentence that gently disagrees with the conceded point, using かもしれませんが or a similar softener.
タスク５ — Plan your paragraph. Using the Building Block pattern from the Grammar section, outline five sentences for your own opinion-support paragraph: the topic, your opinion, your support, a concession, and a softened conclusion.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud at a clear, moderate pace.
きくタスク — An opinion about remote work, read aloud
在宅勤務についていろいろな意見があるが、私は基本的に賛成だ。通勤時間がなくなり、多くの社員の生活が楽になったと思うからだ。例えば、私の会社でも在宅勤務が始まってから、体調を崩す社員が減ったという話を聞いた。確かに、同僚と直接話す機会が減って、コミュニケーションが難しくなったと感じる人もいるものの、月に一度出社する日を作れば、大きな問題にはならないと思う。それも難しいという意見があるかもしれないが、長い目で見れば在宅勤務は続けるべきだというのが私の結論だ。
聞くタスク — Listening task: Identify the speaker's opinion, the reason and example given, the concession, and the final softened conclusion.
This script reviews べき, 確かに〜が, 例えば, and softened disagreement together with 結果 and によって-style vocabulary from Chapter 3, as expected on this chapter's Practical Performance Task.
Speaking Practice
コントロールされた練習 — Controlled practice: Quick opinion prompts
- 教育、仕事、技術、地域、メディア、旅行、環境、文化の中から一つ選んで、意見を言ってください。
- その意見について、例を一つ挙げて説明してください。
- 誰かが反対の意見を持っていると考えて、その意見を確かに〜がで認めてから、自分の意見を柔らかく言ってください。
コミュニケーションタスク — Partner opinion exchange
Choose a topic with a partner and take opposite or different positions. Each person should state an opinion, support it with a reason and an example, then respond to the other's opinion by conceding one point and softening a disagreement, following the patterns from this chapter.
ひとりでもできる練習 — Solo practice: A rehearsed opinion
Using your Guided Practice outline, rehearse and record a one-to-two-minute spoken opinion for the discussion group described in the Communication Scenario. Listen back and check that your opinion, support, concession, and softened conclusion are clearly connected.
Reading Practice
Read the following short post from the discussion group, then answer the questions below.
観光と地域 — An Opinion on Tourism and Local Life
最近、私の町では観光客が増えている。私はこの変化に基本的に賛成だが、いくつか対策を取るべきだとも思う。観光客のおかげで、地元の店の売り上げが増えたという話をよく聞くし、例えば、駅前の商店街には新しい店がいくつも開店した。確かに、観光客が増えたせいで道が混雑し、住民の生活が少し不便になったという意見もあるものの、その問題は解決できないほど大きくはないと思う。それも一つの考え方かもしれないが、地域と観光客の両方にとって良い方法を見つけるべきだというのが私の結論だ。
Notice that 観光客, 商店街, and 混雑, less frequent kanji at this point in the volume, retain furigana, while 結果, 意見, and 賛成, introduced earlier in this unit, appear without support by the time they recur here.
ないようりかい — Comprehension questions:
- What is the writer's opinion about increased tourism, and what reason and example support it?
- What concession does the writer make about a problem caused by tourism?
- What is the writer's final, softened conclusion?
Writing Workshop
In this workshop you will draft the written portion of your Practical Performance Task: a response to an opinion on a topic of your choice, following the five-stage Building Block pattern from the Grammar section.
- State the topic in one sentence.
- Give your opinion, clearly marked with と思う, and use べき at most once, softened by と思う.
- Support your opinion with one reason and one example using 例えば.
- Concede a point from a different view using 確かに〜が or 〜ものの.
- Soften your disagreement and restate your conclusion, then revise using the checklist below.
チェックリスト — Editing checklist:
- My opinion is clearly marked as an opinion, not stated as plain fact.
- I supported my opinion with at least one reason and one example.
- If I used べき, it appears at most once and is softened with と思う.
- I conceded at least one point from a different view before disagreeing.
- My disagreement is softened rather than blunt.
- My sentences connect to one another rather than reading as a disconnected list of statements.
- I maintained one consistent polite or plain style throughout.
- I checked unfamiliar kanji using the strategies in the Script and Kanji Strategy section.
Culture and Communication
In many Japanese group discussions, meetings, and online forums, disagreement is commonly softened through concession phrases, hedges, and indirect wording rather than expressed as a flat contradiction. This pattern is not unique to Japanese, but the specific expressions practiced in this chapter, such as 確かに〜が and 〜かもしれませんが, are common, natural ways of managing disagreement in Japanese-language discussion.
Softening disagreement with a concession before stating a different view is common in many languages and communities, though the specific phrases and the expected degree of softening can differ. When responding to an opinion from an international discussion group, it can be useful to briefly compare how disagreement is typically expressed where you live with the patterns practiced in this chapter.
べき can sound quite direct and can be perceived as preachy or judgmental, especially when used repeatedly or without support. In both speech and writing, it is more natural when limited to a single, well-supported claim and softened with と思う, as modeled in this chapter, rather than used as a general way to tell other people what they should do.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: *学校は変わるべきだ。先生も変わるべきだ。生徒も変わるべきだ。 repeating べき several times in a row without any supporting reason or example, which sounds preachy and unsupported.
Correction: 学校はもっとコンピューターの授業を増やすべきだと思う。例えば、多くの生徒がプログラミングに興味を持っている。 — use べき at most once, soften it with と思う, and follow it with a reason and an example, as modeled in this chapter's Grammar section.
Error: *その意見は間違っていると思います。 stating flatly that the other person's opinion is wrong, with no acknowledgment of their point.
Correction: 確かにそのお考えも分かりますが、私は少し違う意見を持っています。 — concede part of the other view first, then present a different opinion gently, as modeled in this chapter's Building Block.
Error: *調査によると、絶対にそうだ。 presenting a vaguely cited source as absolute proof, which overstates the strength of the evidence.
Correction: そういうデータもあるようだ。 — use cautious, general reference language such as 〜というデータ／話がある together with ようだ, rather than claiming certainty from an unspecified or unverified source, as shown in the Grammar section.
Chapter Review
Section A — ごい (Vocabulary)
1. Use 意見, 賛成する, 反対する, and 根拠 each in one original sentence describing a topic you have an opinion about.
Section B — もじ (Script)
1. Write the readings for 意見, 賛成, 根拠, and 結論 from memory, then check them against the Script and Kanji Strategy section.
Section C — ぶんぽう (Grammar)
1. Complete the five Grammar Review Practice items in the Grammar section above, if you have not already done so.
2. Explain, in your own words, why べき can sound strong, and describe one way this chapter recommends softening it.
Section D — どっかいりかい (Reading comprehension)
1. Look again at the passage in the Reading Practice section. Write two sentences summarizing the writer's opinion and conclusion in your own words, maintaining consistent polite style.
Section E — かくこと (Writing)
1. Complete your written opinion response, following the Writing Workshop steps, as part of the Practical Performance Task below.
Section F — はなすこと (Speaking)
1. Present your rehearsed spoken opinion to a partner, instructor, or recording, as part of the Practical Performance Task below.
Practical Performance Task
じっせんパフォーマンスタスク
意見を支える — Responding to an opinion
Prepare a response to an opinion, as though posting it for the discussion group described in the Communication Scenario. Complete all three components below.
- Written response: Write a connected account of at least five sentences that follows the Building Block pattern from the Grammar section: the topic, your opinion, your support (a reason and an example), a concession, and a softened conclusion. Use べき at most once, softened with と思う, at least one concession phrase (確かに〜が or 〜ものの), 例えば, and one softener for disagreement.
- Spoken presentation: With a partner, instructor, or recording, present your response aloud in about one to two minutes, as though replying to a discussion group member unfamiliar with your view.
- Peer or self-audit: Exchange responses with a partner, or review your own after a break, and check specifically for a clearly marked opinion, supported reasoning, an honest concession, gentle disagreement, and clear pronunciation of long vowels and moraic ん in key vocabulary.
Assessment focus: accurate opinion-support vocabulary; correct and appropriately limited use of べき; effective use of 確かに〜が / ものの for concession, 例えば for evidence, and softened disagreement; a clear opinion-support structure; consistent register; and comprehensible pronunciation with attention to long vowels and moraic ん.
Answer Key
Grammar Review Practice
Open-ended; models should follow the patterns shown in the Grammar section. Check that べき appears at most once and is softened with と思う, that 確かに〜が or 〜ものの genuinely concedes a point rather than restating the writer's own opinion, that 例えば introduces a concrete supporting example, and that disagreement is softened with かもしれませんが or a similar hedge rather than stated bluntly.
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- Emma originally wants to write a blunt contradiction; Yuki thinks it is too strong because it does not acknowledge that the other person's opinion has any merit.
- Yuki suggests conceding that some people are troubled by the sudden fee, using 確かに〜が.
- Yuki suggests Emma use べき only once, in the opinion section, softened by と思う elsewhere in the reply.
Listening task — Model summary
The speaker is generally in favor of remote work because it has made many employees' lives easier by removing commuting time, supported by the example of fewer employees getting sick after remote work began. The speaker concedes that some people feel communication has become more difficult, but softens this by suggesting a monthly office day is enough, concluding gently that remote work should continue.
Reading — Comprehension
- The writer supports increased tourism, reasoning that it has increased local shop sales, supported by the example of new shops opening near the station.
- The writer concedes that increased traffic congestion from tourism has made residents' daily life somewhat less convenient.
- The writer's softened conclusion is that a way should be found that is good for both the local area and tourists.
Chapter Review — Sections A and B
Open-ended; check against the Core Vocabulary and Script and Kanji Strategy sections above.
Chapter Review — Section C
Open-ended for item 1; see Grammar Review Practice guidance above. For item 2, a correct explanation notes that べき can sound direct, preachy, or judgmental, especially when repeated or unsupported, and that this chapter recommends limiting it to a single well-supported claim softened with と思う.
Chapter Review — Section D
Model answer: 観光客が増えたことについて、この人は基本的に賛成で、地元の店の売り上げが増えたことを理由に挙げている。道の混雑という問題は認めながらも、地域と観光客の両方にとって良い方法を見つけるべきだと結論している。 (Other accurate answers accepted.)
Chapter Review — Section E and F, and Practical Performance Task
These are open-ended production tasks. Evaluate the written response against the Writing Workshop checklist above, and evaluate the spoken presentation and peer or self-audit against the assessment focus listed under the Practical Performance Task.
Looking Ahead
いまできること — What you can do now
You can state an opinion clearly, support it with a reason and an example, recognize and cautiously use べき, concede a point before disagreeing, and soften disagreement so that it sounds considered rather than blunt. Combined with the cause-and-result analysis skills from Chapter 3, you can now build an organized response that explains a situation, its causes and consequences, and a supported, appropriately softened opinion about it. This prepares you for Chapter 5's cumulative review of explanation and opinion.