inroads #2

IBMの言語を学習する人工知能Watsonに関するthe Japan Times Onlineの記事から英語表現の復習です。
今回採り上げるのはinroad。辞書には「【分野への】進出, 参入, 侵略」とあり，make inroadsで「【分野に】食い込む, 優位に立つ, 進出する」という意味があります（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』小学館）。該当箇所も「日本へも進出し始めている」と解釈できます。（Koyamamoto）
cf. http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20130328/1364401992

Language-learning Watson looks to change the face of computing
It’s hard to predict what the next big thing will be in technology.
But IBM is looking at how much “smarter” computers can get with Watson, its new “cognitive computing” technology.
IBM stresses that computers must become smarter for the good of the world to handle the exponential rise in data as people increasingly blog, tweet and upload every detail of their lives to the Internet via social media and digitized books.
…Watson is starting to make inroads into Japan as well.
Major banks including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Mizuho Bank Ltd. announced last November that they would be using Watson in call centers to help field questions from customers.
Traditionally, operators speak with the customers and manually search for the answers. But Watson will do this automatically.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/10/11/national/language-learning-watson-looks-change-face-computing/#.VhpNFsvEPFY