Privacy Policy
1. Basic concept
The National Diet Library, which operates Japan Search, pays close attention to protecting the privacy of its users in smoothly operating the Japan Search website (the website provided under the following URL: https://jpsearch.go.jp/).
Collected information is managed appropriately within the scope of each purpose of use.
2. Scope of application
This policy describes the purpose for the NDL collecting "personal data" (any information that may identify an individual processed on the Japan Search website, including not only personal information such as names but also information such as website browsing history) and how it processes it, regarding the use of the Japan Search website except for its use by Participating Organizations.
The Japan Search website is operated and managed by the National Diet Library under policies established by the Study Group for Promoting Digital Archiving. Concerning the protection of private information by the NDL as a whole, please see Protection of Personal Information.
3. Purpose of collecting and processing of personal data
3.1 Processing of personal data relating to visitors to the Japan Search website
(1) Types of personal data and purpose of collection
The Japan Search website automatically collects the following personal data of users (See also 3.2 for the use of sharing function).
- Internet domain names
- IP addresses
- Activity history on the Japan Search website (dates of access, search keyword, session information, etc.)
- Device information (type of browser, etc.)
Personal data collected are used for reference to assist in work performance and improvement of services involved in the operation of the Japan Search website and used to produce statistics on the habits of its users.
(2) Processing of personal data
The Japan Search website uses its own statistical function or Google Analytics for access analysis. The website's own statistical function analyzes access logs to produce usage statistics such as the number of page visits and transitions to linked databases as well as to measure the usage patterns of Japan Search website users in a manner that does not identify individual users. Access analysis using Google Analytics extracts data in a non-personally identifiable manner and performs statistical analysis. It will not be used for categorization of users. For more information on how Google Analytics works and its privacy policy, please see Google's Data Protection and other sites.
(3) Retention period
The NDL retains personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and processed depending on each type of data. For the purpose of preventing unauthorized use and security, and for the purpose of access analysis, personal data will be stored for a maximum of 14 months and then deleted.
(4) Use of cookies and purpose of their use
The Japan Search website uses cookies, which are small text files that are stored on users' devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) when users visit the Japan Search website.
("Strictly Necessary Cookies": Always Enabled)
Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management and accessibility.
These cookies are also necessary to prevent unauthorized access and to detect and mitigate potential security threats.
Users may disable Strictly Necessary Cookies by changing their browser settings, but this may affect how the Japan Search website functions.
("Accept all Cookies": Analytics Cookies)
If users have given their consent to accept all cookies, the NDL will set Analytics Cookies to evaluate and improve our services by measuring how users use the Japan Search website.
Personal data collected by Analytics Cookies are used for reference to assist in work performance and improvement of services involved in the operation of the Japan Search website and used to produce statistics on the habits of its users. Access analysis extracts and collects personal data in a way that does not identify individual users.
(How to revoke Analytics Cookies after the user accepts all cookies)
Users can revoke their consent to accept Analytics Cookies at any time. To revoke, please press the "Reset cookie settings" button at the bottom of this page to display the consent settings screen again and select "Strictly Necessary Cookies".
3.2 Processing of personal data relating to the use of sharing function
When users share their data by using the sharing function of My Gallery on Japan Search, the NDL temporarily and automatically stores the following personal data:
- The Gallery ID of the My Gallery to be shared (automatically assigned)
- Data on this shared My Gallery
- The password to access this shared My Gallery
The NDL does not use this personal data except for the purpose of sharing My Gallery for users. This personal data which was automatically stored will be deleted as soon as the expiration date (one day after the start of sharing) has passed.
Unless the sharing function is used, data created by My Gallery, My Search, My Notebook, and other functions are only stored on the browser of the user's device and are not stored on the Japan Search website.
3.3 Processing of personal data relating to inquiries to the Japan Search website
If you have any inquiries regarding the Japan Search website, please contact us through the Contact Us link. Personal data including names, email addresses and the details of your inquiries processed through this inquiry form will be used solely for the purpose of addressing inquiries and will be deleted upon completion of the response.
In addition, the NDL may respond to inquiries by forwarding this personal data to participating organizations or the Secretariat of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan.
4. Measures to ensure security
The NDL takes necessary and appropriate measures in order to prevent the leakage, destruction or damage to the collected personal data, and to otherwise safely manage it.
The NDL will never use the collected personal data for any purposes other than those stated in 3 above, nor will the NDL provide it to third parties, except for particular cases where there were legal disclosure requests, illegal access, or other unlawful actions. However, the NDL may publish the statistical information mentioned in 3.1 above.
5. Changes to personal data
Users can revoke their consent to accept Analytics Cookies at any time (see 3.1(4)).
6. Revision of this privacy policy
This policy is subject to change. Users will be notified on this site in the event changes to the policy have been made. In this case, users' future visits to The Japan Search website will be subject to the updated policy.
7. Contact information
If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please contact us.