Turms of Use

Thank you very much for using the COCORO Counseling Service.

［This Terms of Service is a translation based on the Japanese text and is provided for reference purposes only. The Japanese text shall be the sole governing document for legal purposes. ］

These terms of use (hereinafter referred to as "these Terms") define the conditions for using our counseling service, "COCORO Counseling Service." Users of COCORO Counseling Service are required to review these Terms in advance and are considered to have agreed to them. These Terms will apply to all users.

Article 1 (Definitions)

The definitions of the following terms in this article shall apply to these Terms, special agreements regarding various services, the handling of customer information (hereinafter referred to as the "Privacy Policy"), and the "User Guidelines" related to various services, unless otherwise specified.

"This Website" refers to the website or pages provided on the internet under the name "COCORO Counseling Service."
"This Service" refers to the various services provided to members on this Website.
"Member" refers to an individual who wishes to use this Service, has agreed to these Terms in advance, and whose application for membership has been approved by us.
"Members, etc." refers to members, registered counselors, and visitors to this Website (hereinafter referred to as "Website Visitors"). Unless otherwise specified, this also includes third parties who are Website Visitors.
"Counseling Session" refers to the counseling conducted by the assigned counselor using the methods designated by us. It does not include actions that violate laws such as medical acts.
"Registered Counselor" refers to counselors registered with this Service.
"Assigned Counselor" refers to the registered counselor who is responsible for the counseling session booked by the member.

Article 2 (Consent to These Terms)

To use this Service, members must agree to all of these Terms in advance and become members. If you do not agree to these Terms, you cannot use this Service.
Notwithstanding the above, services provided by third parties such as video call apps, payment services, and email providers are subject to the terms of those service providers, and these Terms do not apply.

Article 3 (Consent to the Privacy Policy)

Members' personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy set forth by us.
Members must review the Privacy Policy on this Website before using this Service. If you do not agree to the Privacy Policy, you cannot use this Service.
Notwithstanding the above two points, members agree that we may collect and aggregate consultation contents for the purpose of improving the quality and technology of this Service, as well as for social awareness purposes. However, if a member expresses a refusal regarding use for research purposes such as academic conferences, we will respect that. Additionally, if there is a situation involving a member's suicide attempt, defamation, threats, harassment, or any other urgent situation that may require immediate action, we may provide information about the member to appropriate third parties (whether corporate, organizational, or individual) without prior notice to the member. Members also agree to our use of consultation content collected from registered counselors for appropriate responses and agree that we and the registered counselors will not bear any responsibility for these actions.

Article 4 (Using This Service)

This Service aims to provide opportunities for psychological support by having registered counselors listen to members' concerns and issues. We do not guarantee the effectiveness of psychological support techniques or the improvement of members' mental and physical health. We also bear no responsibility if the member's mental or physical state worsens during or after using this Service.
Members are responsible for selecting and deciding on counselors, consultation content, and all other decisions.
Registered counselors must comply with medical laws and are prohibited from performing medical acts. This Service cannot be used for medical purposes.
If a member is judged to have a high likelihood of needing medical care, the registered counselor may recommend visiting a medical institution.
Members currently receiving treatment from a physician or psychological therapy from other professionals must obtain permission from their specialists before using this Service.
Members cannot use this Service for consultations requiring legal, tax, or other specialized knowledge.
We are not responsible for the deletion or non-storage of emails, posts, or content on this Service, nor for any damages arising from this. We may send a notification email regarding the deletion of unused member IDs or accounts after a certain period of inactivity. If no response is received within two weeks of sending the email, we may delete the member ID or account.
Members must comply with relevant laws, ordinances, regulations, and orders when using this Service.
Members can reserve counseling sessions through the member-only page and receive sessions in the manner specified by us.
To access this Website and use this Service, an internet connection is required. Members must provide and maintain all necessary means, including lines, devices, and software, at their own cost and responsibility. Members are also responsible for the proper installation and operation of these means.
We may suspend, terminate, or change this Website and this Service for any reason at any time.
We are not responsible for any damages (whether direct or indirect) caused by members' inability to access this Website or use this Service.

Article 5 (Fees and Payment Methods)

The fees for counseling sessions will be as specified separately by us and displayed on our Website.
Members must pay the necessary fees for counseling through the payment methods specified by us.

Article 6 (Membership Registration)

Applicants wishing to register as members must input truthful and accurate information about themselves in the registration form (hereinafter "Registration Data") and send it to us. Membership is established upon our confirmation of the registration. Applicants and members must ensure that the Registration Data is always truthful and accurate. If there is a breach or if we determine that inaccurate Registration Data has been provided, we may delete the member ID and refuse future use of this Service.
We may require the submission of necessary documents if we deem it necessary for the membership registration review. Applicants must promptly provide the requested documents.
If a minor wishes to register as a member, they must obtain comprehensive consent from their guardian before using this Service in accordance with these Terms. The minor agrees in advance to our contacting the guardian to confirm the consent if necessary.
Applicants for membership must confirm and agree to the following:
1. Install and maintain the latest version of the video call app at their own responsibility and ensure it is operational.
2. Confirm that their communication environment does not hinder the use of this Service.
3. Understand that due to their internet connection environment, some member services might be unavailable.
We may refuse to accept applications from those who fall under any of the following categories. Even if we accept an application, we may withdraw the acceptance and delete the member ID or account if it is later found to fall under any of the following categories:
1. Individuals currently hospitalized or receiving outpatient care without permission from a medical institution.
2. Individuals at risk of self-harm or harm to others.
3. Individuals in a condition likely to require medical care, which may be harmful to their psychological health.
4. Adults under guardianship, assistance, or support who have not obtained consent from their legal representative, guardian, assistant, or supporter.
5. Individuals who have concealed their status as minors.
6. Individuals identified as belonging to anti-social forces (e.g., organized crime groups, members of such groups, extremist groups, or similar entities) or who are involved in funding or supporting such forces.
7. Individuals who have previously violated a contract with us or are related to such individuals.
8. Other cases deemed inappropriate by us for membership.
We are not obligated to disclose reasons if we refuse a membership application.
Members must promptly update their registration information (including Registration Data) if there are any changes. If no update is made, we may consider the registration information as unchanged and proceed accordingly.

Article 7 (Management and Responsibility of ID and Password)

Members are responsible for managing their registered member ID and password. Members may not allow third parties to use, transfer, sell, pledge, lend, or otherwise dispose of their member ID or password.
Members are responsible for all actions performed using their member ID and password, even if done by third parties without consent or through unauthorized use. We are not liable for any damages arising from these actions, regardless of the member's intent or negligence, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence by us.
Members are responsible for any damages or responsibilities arising from the equipment, lines, software, or errors used in connection with this Service. We are not liable for any damages regardless of the member's intent or negligence.
If a member's ID and password are leaked to a third party, they must notify us immediately. We may suspend or terminate the use of the Service with the affected ID and password but are not responsible for any damages arising from the leak, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence by us.
Members should always log out after using the Service. Failure to do so may result in unauthorized use of the member's ID and password by third parties. We are not responsible for any damages arising from this.
Members must regularly change their passwords and take measures to avoid issues. We are not responsible for any damages arising from failure to do so.

Article 8 (Booking Counseling Sessions)

Members can book counseling sessions through the counselor reservation page.
A reservation is confirmed when either a confirmation appears on the browser or a notification email is sent, whichever comes first.

Article 9 (Changing or Cancelling Reservations)

To change or cancel a booked counseling session, members must use the method specified on this Website after the reservation is confirmed.
We do not refund points for cancellations of confirmed reservations.
Cancellations within a certain period before the counseling session will not incur any additional charges. However, if cancellation occurs after this period, we may charge a cancellation fee based on the rules specified on this Website.
We are not responsible for any damages caused by cancellations or changes in counseling sessions.

Article 10 (Prohibited Actions)

Members must not engage in any of the following actions:
1. Actions that violate laws or regulations.
2. Actions that harm or threaten to harm others, including harassment.
3. Actions that infringe on the intellectual property rights of us or third parties.
4. Actions that engage in fraud or misrepresentation.
5. Actions that harm the operation of this Website or this Service.
6. Actions that use our services for purposes other than intended, including illegal purposes.
7. Actions that violate public order or morals.
8. Other actions deemed inappropriate by us.

Article 11 (Termination and Suspension of Use)

We may suspend or terminate a member's use of this Service without prior notice if we determine that the member is involved in any of the following:
1. Violation of these Terms.
2. Actions that may cause harm to us or third parties.
3. Actions that may damage or harm this Service or this Website.
4. Other situations where suspension or termination is deemed necessary.

Article 12 (Responsibility and Disclaimers)

We are not responsible for any damages arising from the use of this Service, including but not limited to damages caused by the content of the counseling session, counseling quality, or the use of this Website, unless we are liable for intentional or gross negligence.
We are not responsible for any damages resulting from system failures, defects, or delays in this Website or this Service.
We are not liable for any damages arising from user-created content or interactions between users and third parties.

Article 13 (Changes to These Terms)

We may change these Terms without prior notice. The revised Terms will apply to all members.
We will notify members of changes to these Terms by posting them on this Website or through other means deemed appropriate.

Article 13 (Purchase and Handling of Points)

Points for members are generally purchased via credit card payment. Points are valued at 1 point = 1 yen and can be used at the time of applying for a counseling session within this service. Points cannot be exchanged for cash, goods, or other economic benefits except at the time of applying for a counseling session within this service.
Points purchased by members will be added to their account by the next business day after we confirm the payment from the member.
The validity period for points purchased by members will be until the end of the month that is three months after the month of purchase. Members can check their unused balance of points on their member-exclusive page.
Members can only use points within the validity period mentioned above. Points will expire after the validity period has passed.
If a member resigns or loses their membership status, or if it is discovered that the member obtained points fraudulently, all points held by the member will expire regardless of the reason.
Points can be used on the application page for each counseling session. Points will be consumed starting with those nearing their expiration.
After payment for point purchase, points cannot be returned, refunded, exchanged, converted to cash, or reissued for any reason related to the member's circumstances.

Article 14 (Resignation)

If a member wishes to resign, they can do so through the procedures prescribed by us.
Upon resignation, the member will lose all rights to use our services and all membership rights. Even if the member later rejoins, these rights will not be reinstated.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3, if a member does not log in again within one year from the last login to their member-exclusive page, they will be deemed to have resigned, and we may delete their member ID or account.

Article 15 (Prohibited Conduct by Users)

We may take measures such as canceling membership, deleting all or part of the content or information related to the member, or denying access to all or part of this service without prior notice if we determine that a member falls into any of the following categories. In such cases, we are not obligated to explain the reasons:
1. Violating laws or these Terms.
2. Engaging in fraudulent activities.
3. Providing false information as determined by us.
4. Conducting activities aimed at soliciting for organizations, services, or activities unrelated to this website (including religious activities).
5. Engaging in commercial activities or preparation for profit-oriented use.
6. Using the service for competitors or allowing access to the member's account for competitors.
7. Accessing the service for the purpose of developing competing products or services.
8. Engaging in actions that inconvenience, harm, or pose a risk of harm to other users, third parties, or us.
9. Violating or potentially violating intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of other users, third parties, or us.
10. Conducting actions that severely damage the image of this website.
11. Sending or writing harmful information or computer programs.
12. Engaging in actions that interfere with the operation of this service or could hinder the service.
13. Having no usage history exceeding a certain number of times within a specified period as defined by us.
14. Any other actions deemed inappropriate by us as a member.
We may delete content posted or published by a member and temporarily or permanently suspend or cancel the member's rights or account if we determine that the member is not suitable based on the criteria in the previous paragraph.
We may prohibit a member whose membership has been canceled from using or accessing any of our services in the future.
We are not liable for any damages incurred by the member due to the measures taken under this Article, whether direct or indirect.
If we suffer any damages due to the member's actions listed in the first paragraph, the member must compensate us for all such damages, whether direct or indirect.

Article 16 (Notification Method)

When we determine that notification or communication with a member is necessary, we will notify or contact the member using the email address or contact information registered by the member via email, phone, or postal mail.
We are not responsible for any damages arising from undelivered or delayed notifications or communications, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence on our part.
If a member needs to notify, contact, or inquire with us, they should do so via email to the contact provided on the service.
When inquiries are made based on the previous paragraph, we may verify the identity of the inquirer. The method of response (email, postal mail, phone, etc.) will be determined by us on a case-by-case basis.

Article 17 (Limitation of Liability)

While we strive to ensure the accuracy and quality of information related to this service, we do not guarantee it. The effects of using this service or counseling are influenced by various factors including the user's mental and physical state, and we do not guarantee any specific results. We are not liable for any disadvantages suffered by the user as a result of using the service, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence.
We do not provide any guarantees regarding the operation of any equipment or software used by the user.
We do not guarantee the content provided by registered counselors or members.
We are not responsible for any content written by users on this website.
If the user causes damage to us or a third party through the use of this service or if disputes arise with third parties, the user must resolve these issues at their own responsibility and expense.

Article 18 (Compensation for Damages)

We are not responsible for any damages arising from the inability to use this service, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence.
If we are liable for damages, the amount of compensation will be limited to the amount received from the member.

Article 19 (Temporary Suspension of Service)

We may temporarily suspend all or part of this service without prior notice to members in the following cases:
1. If there is a failure or malfunction in the server, communication lines, or other equipment preventing the provision of the service.
2. For regular or emergency maintenance, inspection, repair, or modification of the system (including servers, communication lines, power supplies, and buildings housing them).
3. If the service cannot be provided due to fire, power outages, or similar issues.
4. If the service cannot be provided due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, or tsunamis.
5. If the service cannot be provided due to war, disturbances, riots, labor disputes, epidemics, or other force majeure events.
6. If the service cannot be provided due to laws or measures based on laws.
7. Other cases where we determine that temporary suspension of the service is necessary for operational or technical reasons.
We may terminate or modify all or part of the service without prior notice to members for any reason.
We are not liable for any damages resulting from the suspension, termination, or modification of the service, whether direct or indirect, foreseeable or not.

Article 20 (Use of Video Communication Applications)

Video counseling is provided using video communication applications. Members agree to the following regarding the use of video communication applications:

To comply with the terms and guidelines provided by the video communication application.
To install the video communication application and verify its usage before using video counseling.
To handle all installation, configuration, and use of the video communication application at their own responsibility and expense.
We are not responsible for any malfunctions or issues with the video communication application's features.
To handle any URLs or files received from the counselor through the video communication application at their own risk.
We have no obligation to respond to inquiries about the services provided by the video communication application.

Article 21 (Prohibition of Transfer of Rights)

Users may not transfer any rights or obligations under these Terms to any other party without our prior written consent.

Article 22 (Intellectual Property Rights)

Copyright for content, screen designs, and other works provided in this service belongs to us or to entities or individuals designated by us.
Users may not use any information provided through this service beyond the scope of personal private copying permitted by copyright law without the permission of the rights holders.
If any issues arise due to violations of this Article, users must resolve these issues at their own responsibility and expense and must not cause any inconvenience or damage to us.

Article 23 (Changes and Additions to Terms)

We may change all or part of these Terms or establish additional terms or special agreements (which will also be part of these Terms) without prior notice to members. Changes or additions will be effective from the time they are posted on the website providing the service, and the service will be governed by the revised Terms.
Members are responsible for understanding the changes and regularly checking the latest content of these Terms and may not claim ignorance of the changes or additions.
We are not liable for any damages caused to members by changes or additions to these Terms, except in cases of intentional or gross negligence.

Article 24 (Resolution of Disputes)

In the event of any issues arising from the use of this service that cannot be resolved by these Terms or our guidance, we and the user will sincerely discuss and seek to resolve the issues.

Article 25 (Jurisdiction)

All lawsuits or disputes between us and members will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the local or summary court designated by us as the court of first instance.

Article 26 (Governing Law)

These Terms will be interpreted in accordance with the Japanese text and will be governed by Japanese law.

Article 27 (Priority of Individual Agreements)

If we and a member enter into a separate written agreement that conflicts with these Terms, the individual agreement will take precedence.