HanasoBridge

Terms of Service

Last updated: April 12, 2026

Article 1 (Application)

These Terms of Service (these "Terms") set out the conditions governing the use of HanasoBridge (the "Service"). The Service is a platform that matches learners who wish to study Japanese with Japanese conversation partners online and provides lessons via video call. In these Terms, "we", "us", and "our" refer to the operator of the Service. Registered users (each, a "User") must use the Service in accordance with these Terms.

Article 2 (Registration)

Registration is complete when an applicant agrees to these Terms, applies for registration in the manner we prescribe, and we approve the application. Users register under one of the following roles: "Learner", "Conversation Partner", or "Both".

Article 3 (Management of User IDs and Passwords)

Users are responsible for appropriately managing their user ID and password for the Service. Users may not transfer or lend their user ID and password to any third party under any circumstances. When someone signs in with a user ID and password combination that matches the registered information, we will treat that use as use by the User who registered them.

Article 4 (Use as a Conversation Partner)

Users who use the Service as a conversation partner agree to the following conditions.

  • Provide accurate information (qualifications, experience, etc.) in their conversation partner profile
  • A Stripe Connect account must be registered in order to receive payouts
  • A platform fee is deducted from lesson fees (Bronze: 15%, Silver: 12%, Gold: 10%; ranks are determined by us based on performance)
  • Maintain session quality and provide lessons to learners in good faith
  • Attend booked sessions on time

Article 5 (Prohibited Conduct)

Users must not engage in any of the following conduct when using the Service.

  • Conduct that violates laws or public order and morals
  • Conduct connected to criminal activity
  • Destroying or interfering with the functionality of servers or networks
  • Harassing or defaming other Users
  • Unauthorized access, or attempts to gain unauthorized access
  • Collecting personal information or other data about other Users
  • Transacting directly between conversation partners and learners outside the Service
  • Publishing video or audio recordings made during a session to any external party without our permission
  • Registering false information

Article 6 (Sessions)

The booking and delivery of sessions (lessons) are governed by the following.

  • Sessions are conducted by video call using Daily.co
  • Sessions cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time are refunded in full. No refund is given for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time
  • If a conversation partner fails to attend a session without a legitimate reason, the learner receives a full refund
  • After a session ends, an AI-generated session summary may be created automatically. Summaries are intended to help review your learning, and Users consent to their generation and storage
  • Users are responsible for securing their own internet connection, and we accept no liability for interruptions caused by connection failures

Article 7 (Payments)

Payments on the Service are governed by the following.

  • Payments are processed through Stripe, and all fees are denominated in US dollars (USD)
  • The minimum session fee is $7.00
  • Learners pay the session fee in advance when booking a session
  • Payouts to conversation partners, net of the platform fee, are made via Stripe Connect
  • Refunds are processed in accordance with the cancellation policy in Article 6
  • Use of Stripe is additionally subject to Stripe's own terms of service

Article 8 (Intellectual Property)

Intellectual property rights relating to the Service are governed by the following.

  • Intellectual property rights in the Service's website, logo, and design belong to us
  • Copyright in AI-generated session summaries belongs to us. Users may use them solely for their own personal learning
  • Copyright in teaching materials created by a conversation partner belongs to that conversation partner, who grants us a license to use them on the Service

Article 9 (Suspension of the Service)

We may suspend or interrupt the provision of the Service without prior notice for maintenance or other reasons. We accept no liability for any damage caused to Users or third parties by the suspension or interruption of the Service.

Article 10 (Disclaimer)

We accept no liability whatsoever for any damage incurred by Users arising out of the Service; provided, however, that this disclaimer does not apply where the contract between us and a User regarding the Service constitutes a consumer contract under the Consumer Contract Act of Japan. We do not become involved in, and accept no responsibility for, disputes between Users, although we may mediate where we consider it appropriate.

Article 11 (Changes to the Service)

We may change the content of the Service or discontinue providing the Service without notice to Users, and we accept no liability for any damage this causes to Users.

Article 12 (Amendments to These Terms)

We may amend these Terms at any time without notice to Users when we deem it necessary. Amended Terms take effect when they are posted on the Service.

Article 13 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan. Any dispute arising in connection with the Service is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tokyo District Court as the court of first instance.

* This document is a draft and will undergo legal review before the official release.