Hamada Law Office (hereinafter referred to as the “Firm”) establishes this Privacy Policy (hereinafter referred to as this “Policy”) regarding the handling of personal information by the Firm and complies with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of 2003, hereinafter the “APPI”) and all other applicable laws and regulations.
1. Basic Policy
- The Firm complies with the APPI and other related laws and regulations and continuously reviews and improves this Policy.
- The Firm establishes an internal management system for the protection of personal information, ensures that all attorneys and staff members are informed of this Policy, and promotes strict compliance.
- The Firm specifies the purpose of use of personal information as clearly as possible and handles such information only within the scope of such purposes. The Firm will not disclose or provide personal information to third parties without the user’s consent, except where legally permitted or justified.
- The Firm keeps personal information accurate and up to date and takes necessary measures to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, loss, or damage. The Firm continuously improves and enhances information security measures.
- In accordance with applicable laws, the Firm responds in good faith to inquiries and requests from users regarding their personal information, including requests for disclosure.
2. Purposes of Use of Personal Information
When the Firm collects personal information from users, the Firm will specify the purpose of use in advance and will collect and use such information only to the extent necessary to achieve the following purposes. Except as required by law or with the user’s consent, personal information will not be used for other purposes.
- To perform professional duties and communicate with clients regarding entrusted matters;
- To send seasonal greetings and information about the Firm (including seminar notices, email newsletters, and other communications);
- To verify user identity and conduct conflict-of-interest checks;
- To invoice and collect fees and expenses related to legal services using payment-related information such as names, addresses, and bank account details;
- To arrange consultations and respond to inquiries from users;
- To analyze usage trends and apply the results to planning and development of new services and seminars;
- To provide recruitment-related information, conduct hiring procedures, and manage personnel and training after hiring;
- To communicate regarding committees, study groups, alumni associations, and similar activities; or
- Purposes incidental to the above purposes.
3. Proper Acquisition of Personal Information
The Firm acquires personal information through lawful and fair means.
4. Security Measures for Personal Information
The Firm implements organizational, physical, human, and technical measures, including access controls, access log management, and security systems to prevent unauthorized access from external sources, in order to prevent unauthorized intrusion, loss, destruction, alteration, or leakage of personal information. In the event of a data breach or similar incident, the Firm will promptly report the matter to the relevant authorities in accordance with the APPI and applicable guidelines and will take necessary corrective and preventive measures as instructed.
5. Provision of Personal Information to Third Parties
The Firm will not disclose or provide personal information to third parties except in the following cases:
- When the user has given consent;
- When necessary to protect a person’s life, body, or property and obtaining consent is difficult;
- When particularly necessary to improve public health or promote the sound development of children and obtaining consent is difficult;
- When cooperation with national or local government authorities or their contractors is required by law and obtaining consent may hinder the execution of such duties;
- When outsourcing the handling of personal information within the scope necessary to achieve the purpose of use;
- When business succession occurs due to merger, corporate division, business transfer, or other reasons; or
- When otherwise permitted by applicable laws and regulations.
6. Outsourcing of Personal Data Processing
The Firm may outsource all or part of the handling of personal data within the scope necessary to achieve the purpose of use. In such cases, the Firm will carefully evaluate the qualifications of the service provider, enter into appropriate agreements including confidentiality obligations, and exercise necessary and appropriate supervision.
7. Restriction of Use of Retained Personal Data
If a user requests restriction of use, deletion, or restriction of third-party provision of retained personal data, the Firm will promptly conduct an investigation. If the request is found to be justified, the Firm will take necessary corrective measures or alternative measures to protect the user’s rights and interests and will notify the user accordingly. If restriction of use is not implemented due to excessive cost or practical difficulty, the Firm will take alternative measures to protect the user’s rights and interests and notify the user of such decision.
8. Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies
The Firm’s website uses cookies and similar tracking or analytics technologies (collectively referred to as “Cookies”) to provide appropriate services to users.
(1) Cookies
Third-party advertisements may appear on the Firm’s website. In such cases, third parties may collect and use Cookies from users who visit the website. Cookies are small text files stored on a user’s device through interactions between the web server and the user’s browser. Cookies may collect non-personally identifiable information such as browsing history, service usage, and approximate location data.
Users may configure browser settings to display cookie usage, disable cookies, or delete stored cookies. Please note that disabling cookies may limit certain website functionalities.
(2) Google Analytics
The Firm uses Google Analytics provided by Google. Google may collect and analyze browsing data using cookies set by the Firm or Google. The Firm receives such analysis results to understand user behavior and improve services. For details regarding Google Analytics data handling, please refer to Google’s official website.
9. Contact Information for Personal Information Inquiries
Contact: Hamada Law Office
Address: ABC A-5, 2-21-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
For inquiries regarding disclosure, correction, or deletion of personal information, please contact us via the inquiry form on our website.
10. Changes to This Policy
The Firm may revise this Policy from time to time as necessary.