　Terms of Use　

“JICE Online Japanese Language Lesson” (hereinafter referred to as the "Service") is a service operated by Japan International Cooperation Center (hereinafter referred to as "JICE") to provide online Japanese language lessons. JICE stipulates the following terms of use (hereinafter referred to as the "Terms of Use") regarding the Service in general by persons who wish to participate in lesson courses in the Service (hereinafter referred to as "Applicants") and users who have applied to JICE and whose application has been approved by JICE (hereinafter referred to as "Course Participants"), and provides agreements regarding the Service between Course Participants on one hand, and JICE on the other hand. Persons using the Service are required to read and accept the Terms of Use. Moreover, JICE shall deem Applicants to have accepted the whole of the Terms of Use at the time when they made their application to register for the Service.

Article 1 Scope of Application of these Terms

1. The purpose of these Terms of Use is to set forth the conditions for provision of the Service and to establish the relationship related to rights and obligations between JICE and Applicants and Course Participants with respect to the use of the Service, and they apply to all relationships related to rights and obligations between JICE and Applicants and Course Participants with respect to the use of the Service. These Terms of Use and other detailed rules of use apply to both Applicants and Course Participants, and acceptance of these Terms of Use and other detailed rules of use is required. Please use the Service after having accepted these terms.

2. For matters not provided for in these Terms of Use, unless otherwise provided for, the provisions of the “JICE Website Policy” and other terms of use set forth by JICE shall be applied, either directly or with the provisions having been appropriately replaced, and when the provisions are different to those terms of use set forth by JICE in these Terms of Use, the provisions of these Terms of Use shall prevail.

Article 2 Course Application, etc.

1. When using the Service, Applicants agree to comply with these Terms of Use, and may apply to JICE to use the Service by providing JICE certain information stipulated by JICE by means decided by JICE.

2. Applicants who have applied in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall follow the participation procedure in accordance with JICE’s standards and regulations.

3. Target Course Participants and Conditions Regarding Course Participation

(1) Target Course Participants shall be limited to persons residing in Japan, regardless of status of residence.

(2) Languages to be used in course sessions shall be decided on a course by course basis. The course details are listed on the website of JICE Chubu Office (hereinafter referred to as the "Website"). (https://www.jice-chubu.jp/pt/)

(3) As a condition for course participation, Course Participants shall purchase learning materials designated by JICE at their own expense. The learning materials are listed on the Website. JICE is not responsible for any expenses regarding learning materials, including shipping fees. Moreover, JICE does not profit from Course Participants purchasing learning materials.

4. JICE may refuse course participation in the Service in the following cases; however, the reason for refusal will not be disclosed to the Applicant. Moreover, the Applicant may not raise any objections about such decisions.

(1) When the Applicant does not exist

(2) When the Applicant cannot be reached via the contact information he or she has provided, such as an email address

(3) When the information submitted by the Applicant is found to contain fraudulent or incorrect information

(4) When an Applicant’s use of services, etc., operated by JICE or its branch office (including but not limited to the Service and JICE’s website) has been suspended due to a breach of terms, etc., and JICE determines that his or her course participation should not be approved

(5) If JICE determines that the Applicant is an antisocial force, etc. (referring to crime syndicates, crime syndicate members, associate members of a crime syndicate, persons related to a crime syndicate, corporate racketeers, right-wing organizations, antisocial forces; the same shall apply hereinafter), or has any relationship or involvement with antisocial forces, etc., such as supporting them, through funding or other means, or cooperating with or being involved in their operation or management

(6) When there are obstacles to JICE's operations or technical obstacles

(7) When the Service is used for any purpose other than learning Japanese language (by other organizations providing similar services, etc.)

(8) In other cases where JICE determines that course participation or use of the Service by the Applicant is not appropriate

5. Persons under the age of 18 applying to use the Service, please apply after you have obtained the permission of your legal guardian.

6. JICE conducts maintenance on an irregular basis when necessary. During this period, it is not possible to apply for participation in the Service.

Article 3 Service Contents

1. The Service shall include the following service, as well as related services.

“The provision of Japanese lessons online”

The contents details of the Service are provided on the Website. (https://www.jice-chubu.jp)

Article 4 Changes to Terms and Conditions

1. JICE may make additions or amendments to or deletions from these Terms of Use from time to time (these actions shall be referred to as a "Change" hereinafter in this Article). In this case, JICE shall announce the new version of the Terms of Use and the effective date of the Change in advance under Article 13 (Contact and Notification) or by any other reasonable method. If such a notice is given, the Change etc. shall become effective as of the announced effective date.

Article 5 Application, Course Fees and Payment Method for the Service

1. When Applicants wish to participate in lessons offered in the Service, they shall apply to participate in courses offered in the Service via the application page of the Website, in accordance with the procedure specified by JICE. Moreover, these Terms of Use shall apply as terms and conditions, etc., when making an application.

2. When JICE has sent a notification email regarding course fees and payment methods in response to an application as referred to in the preceding paragraph, it shall be deemed that JICE has approved the application, and when JICE has confirmed that the course fee stipulated separately has been paid in accordance with one of the payment methods notified by JICE, it shall be deemed that the sales agreement for the Service has been concluded at that time.

3. The fees for lesson courses offered in the Service are stipulated on the Website.

4. Internet connection fees and the cost of computer and telecommunications equipment required for Applicants and Course Participants to use the Service, shall be borne by Applicants and Course Participants.

5. Payment of fees for lesson courses offered in the Service shall be made either by electronic payment at a convenience store or by bank transfer. JICE will notify Applicants of one of the payment methods.

(1) Electronic Payment at a Convenience Store

- Course Participants can make payment at the following convenience stores.

Lawson, FamilyMart, Ministop, Daily Yamazaki, Seicomart, 7-Eleven

- Settlement Agency

PAYGENT Co., Ltd.

- After applying for course participation via the Website, please make payment of course fees at one of the convenience stores in Japan designated by JICE within 3 (three) days from the date of receipt of the notification email regarding payment method. Only one-time payment is accepted.

- A notification email regarding payment method shall be sent from chubu.online★jice.org（★ is @）.

When fee payment is overdue, the application shall be cancelled.

(2) Bank Transfer

- After applying for course participation via the Website, please make payment of fees to the bank account designated by JICE within 3 (three) days from the date of receipt of the notification email regarding payment method. Only one-time payment is accepted.

- A notification email regarding payment method shall be sent from chubu.online★jice.org（★ is @）.

- When fee payment is overdue, the application shall be cancelled.

Article 6 Entrustment of Settlement Operations

1. Electronic Payment at Convenience Stores

(1) JICE entrusts the processing of all electronic payments at convenience stores for the Service to PAYGENT Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "PAYGENT").

(2) Applicants and Course Participants agree to PAYGENT acting as an agent for the settlement of fees for the Service, and shall apply via the application page of the Website.

Article 7 Changes to Registration Details at the Time of Application

1. In the event that there are any changes to a Course Participant’s name, email address, telephone number, or other information registered at the time of his or her application, the Course Participant shall make a change request promptly by contacting the following email address designated by JICE.

chubu.online★jice.org（Please change ★ to @.）

Article 8 Management of URL, ID and Password of Online Lesson and Course Participant ID

1. Course Participants are responsible for the management of the URL, ID and password of the online lessons and Course Participant ID, which are required when using the Service, and all responsibility for the management and use of the said URL, ID and password and Course Participant ID shall be borne by the Course Participants themselves.

2. If the said URL, ID and password and Course Participant ID are stolen or forgotten, or if it is discovered that they are being used by a third party, the Course Participant shall immediately notify JICE of the fact and follow any instructions given by JICE.

3. JICE shall not be liable for any damages associated with any negligent in use or third-party use of the said URL, ID and password and Course Participant ID, except in cases where due to JICE's intent or gross negligence. Moreover, JICE shall not be liable for any damages arising from Course Participant’s negligence or unauthorized use by a third party.

Article 9 Personal Information

1. JICE gives the utmost consideration to the protection of the personal information of Applicants and Course Participants. Information of Applicants and Course Participants acquired by JICE in relation to the use of the Service shall be handled in accordance with the “Handling of Personal Information” described in an application form under the published “Privacy Policy” in the Website.

Article 10 Usage Environment for the Service

1. Depending on the Course Participant’s usage environment (specification of PC, smartphone or tablet, software requirements, network environment, etc.), the Service may not be able to be used correctly.

2. Applicants and Course Participants shall undertake usage of the various features of the Service having fulfilled their responsibility for ensuring that their equipment meets the hardware requirements of the online meeting system specified by JICE, at the time of application and during the period of use of the Service.

Regarding hardware requirements, Applicants and Course Participants are requested to confirm the system requirements on the Zoom website (https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/204003179-System-requirements-for-Zoom-Rooms). Moreover, preparation of an environment with Internet connectivity and unlimited data capacity is recommended.

3. JICE shall not assume any responsibility in the event that the Service cannot be used due to the Applicant’s and Course Participant’s usage environment.

Article 11 Lessons

1. Lesson System

(1) When using the Service, Course Participants apply for lesson courses separately defined by JICE in advance, and participate in course sessions in accordance with the schedule determined by JICE. Course Participants shall log into the online meeting system specified by JICE at the scheduled date and time and participate in their course sessions.

(2) Course Participants shall be responsible for logging into the online meeting system specified by JICE prior to the scheduled start time of their course sessions. Moreover, JICE assumes no responsibility for a Course Participant’s inability to participate in a course session due to his or her lateness, leaving early, absence or other trouble.

(3）JICE shall assume no liability, for whatever reason, except for the following cases:

i) In the case where Course Participants were unable to participate in a course session as a result of a system failure of the online meeting system due to negligence on the part of JICE

ii) In other cases where Course Participants were unable to participate in a course session due to negligence on the part of JICE.

2. Date and Time of Provision of the Service

The individual dates and times for provision of the Service shall be as separately listed on the Website. Moreover, JICE shall be able to make changes to the dates and times for provision of the Service by posting a notification on the Website.

3. Lesson Service Restrictions

(1) In the event that the progress of a course session is disrupted due to system failures of a Course Participant’s device, disconnection associated with a Course Participant’s network environment or acts falling under those set forth in Article 17 (Prohibitions for Applicants and Course Participants), JICE or the lesson instructor shall be able to end the said Course Participant's participation in the said course session, even if the course session is in progress.

(2) In accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, even in cases where participating in a course session has become difficult and participation in the said session has been ended, the said Course Participant shall not be relieved of any obligations, such as the payment of course fees.

Article 12 Cancellations and Refunds

1. After applying from the Website and before the completion of the fee payment, the Course Participant can cancel the application (no cancellation fee is applied.) In the case of cancellation of application, please contact JICE via the following email address.

chubu.online★jice.org （Please change ★ to @.）

2. After completion of the payment, fees that have already been paid are non-refundable when the cancellation is due to the circumstances of the Course Participant.

3. Fees that have already been paid are non-refundable and course sessions non-transferrable when the Course Participant has been absent from course sessions due to the circumstances of the Course Participant.

4. In the case of cancellation of contract associated with suspension due to the circumstances of JICE, JICE shall refund the course fees for the remaining course sessions. However, fees for course sessions already taken will not be refunded.

5. Courses may be cancelled or postponed in the case where courses are undersubscribed.

(1) In the case of course cancellation

In the case of course cancellation, the course fees will be refunded in full to applicable Course Participants who have already paid.

(2) In the case of course postponement

In the case of course postponement, JICE shall provide information regarding a rescheduled course to applicable Course Participants who have already paid the course fee and inquire as to whether they are able or unable to participate in the rescheduled course. Applicable Course Participants shall notify JICE whether they are able or unable to participate in the course by the deadline specified by JICE.

In the case where an applicable Course Participant notifies JICE that he or she is unable to participate in the rescheduled course entirely or partially, JICE will refund the course fee in full if he or she is unable to participate in the course entirely, and the course fee for the number of days he or she is unable to participate if only partial participation is possible.

6. When a course session is cancelled due to the circumstances of JICE, JICE, in principle, shall offer a rescheduled session. In the case of a course session cancellation, JICE will notify applicable Course Participants and inquire as to whether they are able or unable to take the rescheduled session.

In the case where applicable Course Participants notify JICE by the deadline specified by JICE that they are unable to take the rescheduled session, the course fee for the said session will be refunded.

In the case where applicable Course Participants fail to notify JICE by the deadline specified by JICE that they are unable to take the rescheduled session, or even in the case where, having notified JICE before the deadline that they were able to participate, the applicable Course Participant gives post-deadline notification of being unable to take the rescheduled session, the course fee for the said session will be non-refundable.

7. Regarding the return of learning materials due to circumstances of the Course Participant, please inquire directly to the seller of the learning materials.

Article 13 Contact and Notification

1. Inquiries with regard to the Service and other contact or notification from Applicants and Course Participants to JICE, as well as notifications regarding changes to these Terms of Use and other contact of notifications from JICE to Applicants and Course Participants, shall be conducted by the methods determined by JICE.

Article 14 Inquiries

1. Inquiries regarding the Service are received at the “Inquiries” page on the Website. Or please send them to the following email address.

chubu.online★jice.org （Please change ★ to @）

Article 15 Suspension of Use by JICE

1. If it is discovered that any of the following items apply to the Course Participant, JICE may, without a prior notice or formal demand, suspend his or her use of the Service.

(1) If the Course Participant breaches these Terms of Use

(2) If the information entered by the Course Participant when applying for the Service was used unlawfully or the Course Participant made a false declaration

(3) If the Course Participant fails to make payment of course fee by the deadline specified by JICE

(4) If JICE determines that the Course Participant is unsuitable for the Service due to any other reasonable grounds

2. JICE will not accept any questions or complaints with regard to measures taken to suspend the Applicant’s and Course Participant's use of the Service.

3. In the event that an Applicant and Course Participant breaches these Terms of Use, or falls under any of the items in paragraph 1 of this Article, and JICE incurs damages as a result, JICE shall be able to seek compensation from the Applicant and Course Participant for the damages incurred.

4. JICE assumes no liability whatsoever for any damages incurred by the Course Participant as a result of measures taken to suspend his or her use of the Service.

Article 16 Modification, Cancellation or Suspension of the Service

1. In the event that any of the following applies, JICE can cancel or suspend the operation of the Service, and shall assume no liability in relation to the cancellation or suspension of the Service.

(1) When performing regular or emergency maintenance on the Service's system

(2) When normal provision of the Service has become impossible due to war, riot, turmoil, labor dispute, earthquake, volcanic eruption, flood, tsunami, fire, power outage or other emergencies

(3) When there is a failure, etc., of the system providing the Service

(4) In other cases where JICE has determined that temporary suspension is necessary for the operation of the Service

(5) When its provision of the Service has become technically difficult or impossible

2. When cancelling or suspending operation of the Service in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, JICE shall notify Course Participants of the fact beforehand. However, this shall not apply in unavoidable emergency situations.

Article 17 Prohibitions for Applicants and Course Participants

1. Applicants and Course Participants shall not engage in the following acts when using the Service.

(1) Acts which infringe on, or are likely to infringe on, any of the intellectual property rights or other rights, such as copyrights (including Articles 27 and 28 of the Copyright Act) of other Applicants, Course Participants, third parties, JICE or persons related to JICE’s lesson courses

(2) Acts that infringe on, or are likely to infringe on, the assets or privacy of other Applicants, Course Participants, third parties, JICE or persons related to JICE’s lesson courses

(3) In addition to (1) and (2) above, acts that cause, or are likely to cause, detriment or damage to other Applicants, Course Participants, third parties, JICE or persons related to JICE’s lesson courses

(4) Acts allowing the transfer, succession or exercise, etc., of one’s rights and status as a Course Participant by another Course Participant or third party, etc.

(5) Acts that slander other Course Participants, persons concerned, third parties or JICE

(6) Acts of unlawful collection and disclosure of information, etc., held by other Course Participants, persons concerned or third parties

(7) Acts in violation of, or likely to be in violation of, public policy, or acts of provision of information in violation of public policy to other Course Participants or third parties

(8) Criminal acts or acts that lead to, or are likely to lead to, criminal acts

(9) Election campaigning, or similar acts, regardless of whether it is during an election period

(10) Activities of a sexual, religious or political nature

(11) Acts of unlawful use of the online lesson’s URL, ID and password and Course Participant ID notified by JICE

(12) Acts of usage or provision of malicious programs, such as computer viruses, through the Service, or in connection with the Service

(13) Other acts in violation of, or likely to be in violation of, the law

(14) Other acts deemed to be inappropriate by JICE

(15) Acts that allow other Applicants, Course Participants, or third parties other than Applicants and Course Participants, to use the Service, irrespective of the purpose.

2. In the event that JICE or a third party incurs damages due to an Applicant or Course Participant committing any of the acts under the preceding paragraphs, even if after the Applicant or Course Participant has lost his or her participant status, the Course Participant shall bear full legal liability and shall not cause any inconvenience to JICE.

Article 18 Intellectual Property Rights

1. All patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights and any other intellectual property rights of information, including screen and voice capture, or files provided and learning and other materials developed and provided by JICE to Applicants and Course Participants through the Service remain the property of JICE or rights holders that have duly authorized JICE as an agent, and the said information and files may only be used via the method provided by the Service and are not to be used via any other method (including but not limited to audio and video recording, duplication, distribution, transfer and automatic public transmission).

2. In the event that an Applicant or Course Participant breaches the provisions of this Article and a problem arises with a rights holder or third party, the Applicant or Course Participant shall resolve the issue at his or her responsibility and at his or her own expense and shall not cause any inconvenience or damages to JICE.

3. Regarding submission of lesson-related data, the Course Participant hereby shall declare and warrant to JICE that he or she has a lawful right to submit on his or her own and that the submitted data does not infringe upon the rights of any third party.

4. The Course Participant hereby shall agree not to exercise his or her moral rights of author against JICE and those who have succeeded or have been granted the right from JICE with regard to the provision of the preceding paragraph.

Article 19 Disclaimer

1. JICE does not warrant in any way that the content of the Service and information, etc. to be acquired by Applicants and Course Participants via the Service will be complete, accurate, reliable or useful.

2. Except in cases provided for separately, JICE shall assume no liability for damages to Applicants, Course Participants and third parties due to provision, postponement, modification, interruption, cancellation, suspension, or abolition of the Service, loss or disappearance of information registered or provided through the Service or any other damages incurred in relation to the Service. However, this shall not apply in cases where default is due to intention or gross negligence on the part of JICE is the cause.

Article 20 Compensation for Damages

1. In the event that an Applicant or Course Participant causes damage to JICE due to a breach of these Terms of Use or unlawful conduct, JICE shall be able to seek appropriate compensation from the said Applicant or Course Participant.

2. In the event that JICE is liable to pay compensation to a Course Participant, in accordance with these Terms of Use, JICE’s amount of compensation in any case shall be up to a maximum amount equivalent to the fee paid by the Course Participant for the product or service constituting the cause of the compensation claim, and JICE shall bear no further liability for damages. However, this shall not apply in cases where default is due to intention or gross negligence on the part of JICE is the cause.

3. In the event that an Applicant or Course Participant causes damage to a third party through the use of the Service, the Applicant or Course Participant shall resolve the issue on his or her own responsibility, and shall not cause JICE to assume any liability.

Article 21 Entrustment

1. JICE can, at its own discretion, entrust to a third party all or part of the business necessary for the provision of the Service or individual services to Applicants and Course Participants.

2. With regard to the entrustment under the preceding paragraph, when disclosing Course Participants’ personal information to the said third party, if required for business reasons, JICE shall conclude an agreement with the said third party regarding the handling of the personal information of Course Participants.

Article 22 General

1. These terms shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.

2. For any legal action or litigation procedure between JICE and Applicants and Course Participants, arising from or in relation to these terms, The Tokyo District Court shall be the agreed court with exclusive jurisdiction in the first instance.

3. If it is determined that any of the provisions of these terms are invalid or unenforceable, the valid or enforceable parts of the said provisions and the remaining provisions of these terms shall continue to be valid and enforceable.

Article 23 Other

1. JICE will notify Applicants of their acceptance or non-acceptance and other information via email, in accordance with the provision regarding notification of acceptance, etc. in prepaid mail order sales under Article 13 of the Act on Specified Commercial Transactions.

End

(Created on September. 18, 2020)