Privacy Policy

Effective date: May 11, 2026

InJapan Connect ("we", "our", "the app") is a community platform for foreigners living in Japan. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. We comply with Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (個人情報の保護に関する法律, APPI) and apply similar protections to users outside Japan.

Plain-language summary: We collect the information you provide (account, profile, posts), some technical data to keep the app working, and limited data to serve ads. We do not sell your personal data. You can delete your account anytime.

1. Information we collect

1.1 Information you provide

Account details: phone number or Google account email and display name.
Profile information: name, avatar photo, visa type, JLPT level, location/area, and any other fields you choose to fill in.
User content: posts, comments, messages, photos you upload, jobs you apply to, referrals you create, and goals or roadmaps you save in My Career.

1.2 Information collected automatically

Device and usage data: device type, operating system, browser, language, IP address, app version, and how you interact with features (screens visited, buttons tapped).
Cookies and similar technologies: session cookies for authentication; advertising cookies via Google AdSense (see Section 5).
Approximate location: only if you grant location permission, to show jobs and housing near you.

1.3 Information from third parties

If you sign in with Google, we receive your name, email, and profile photo from Google.

2. How we use your information

To create and maintain your account.
To show you relevant jobs, housing, posts, and content.
To enable community features like posts, chat, comments, and referrals.
To power AI features (career roadmap, life guide, interview prep) — see Section 5 about OpenAI.
To prevent fraud, spam, and abuse.
To send important service notifications (e.g., visa renewal reminders, application updates).
To improve and develop the app.
To comply with legal obligations.

3. Legal basis (for users in the EU/UK)

We process your data based on (a) your consent, (b) the contract to provide you the service, (c) our legitimate interest in keeping the app safe and functional, and (d) legal obligations.

4. Sharing of information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as follows:

Other users: your public profile (name, avatar, posts, comments) is visible to other users of the app.
Service providers: we use trusted vendors who process data on our behalf, including Google Firebase (authentication, database, storage, hosting), OpenAI (AI guide and career features — your AI prompts are sent to OpenAI to generate responses), and Google AdSense (ads).
Legal requirements: we may disclose information when required by law or to protect users' rights and safety.

5. Advertising

We use Google AdSense to show ads. Google may use cookies and similar technologies to personalize ads based on your visits to our app and other websites. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or, for users in Europe, Your Online Choices.

6. AI features and your prompts

When you use the AI guide, AI career coach, or interview prep features, the text you type is sent to OpenAI for processing. Do not include sensitive personal data (e.g., government ID numbers, passwords, financial information) in AI prompts. OpenAI processes prompts under its own privacy terms.

7. Data retention

We retain your account and content for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we remove your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required by law to retain certain records (e.g., transaction logs).

8. Your rights

You have the right to:

Access and download your data.
Correct inaccurate information.
Delete your account and personal data.
Withdraw consent at any time.
Object to or restrict certain processing.
Lodge a complaint with the Personal Information Protection Commission of Japan (個人情報保護委員会) or your local data protection authority.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at hello@injapanconnect.com.

9. Children

InJapan Connect is intended for users 16 years of age or older. If you are under 18, you should review this policy with a parent or guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

10. International data transfers

Your data may be processed and stored on servers located outside Japan (e.g., Google data centers in the United States or other regions). We use providers who provide appropriate safeguards for international transfers.

11. Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) and access controls on our databases. No method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, but we work continuously to protect your information.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Effective date" above and notify you through the app or by email if changes are material.

13. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us at:

Email: hello@injapanconnect.com
Operator: Tilak (InJapan Connect)
Location: Fukuoka, Japan