Online Conversation Service Terms

General Incorporated Association Shikaku (the “Association”) establishes the following terms for the online conversation service provided through Signs I/O (the “Service”).

Article 1 — Relationship with the Membership Terms and Scope

These Terms supplement the Signs I/O Membership Terms as special terms for the Service. The Membership Terms apply to matters not covered here. Where the terms differ, these Terms prevail to the extent that the matter concerns the Service.
Users select whether to use the Service individually or through a program offered by their company, school, or organization. Conditions and entitlements for different types of use remain separate, even when the same account is used.
The individual-use point, pricing, and cancellation conditions in Articles 5 through 9 apply only when using points individually. The contract for a company, school, or organization program governs its fees, payment, session allowance, booking methods, duration, cancellation, and recording conditions. Individual-use conditions do not change those conditions or automatically supplement program entitlements with individual points.
Where different conditions have been agreed in an individual contract, that contract prevails within its scope. Merely displaying different information on a screen later does not change an already concluded contract. No document restricts user rights that cannot be restricted by law.
Personal information is handled under the Privacy Policy and the “Addendum on the Handling of Personal Information for Online Conversations.” Consent to safety-management recording is handled separately from consent to these Terms.

Article 2 — Description of the Service

The Service provides opportunities for users to converse with conversation partners in Japanese Sign Language through video. Conversations do not use spoken audio, and users are not required to use a microphone.
A standard individual-use session lasts 15 minutes. The Service does not provide classes, private instruction, qualification-examination preparation, interpreting, or professional advice on medical, legal, tax, psychological, or similar matters. Separately provided corporate training and similar services are governed by their contracts.
The Association does not guarantee particular learning outcomes or the acquisition of qualifications. The progress of a conversation and compatibility with a partner vary between individuals.

Article 3 — Eligibility and Minors

Users must use their own membership accounts. Accounts may not be lent, shared, or transferred.
Individual use requires completion of the introductory course, passing the Introductory Course Qualification Examination, verification of an interpreting qualification, or a grant of eligibility by the Association. Specific verification methods are shown in the service guidance. Purchasing points or becoming a Premium member alone does not guarantee eligibility or a booking at a preferred time.
For company, school, or organization programs, eligibility is verified on the basis of valid participation in that program. Such eligibility is not automatically transferable to individual use or another program.
Users under 18 must obtain the consent of a parent or other legal representative (a “Guardian” in these Terms), including consent to any applicable fee and point conditions. Guardian consent is verified separately from the user's own actions.
Paragraph 4 also applies to company, school, and organization programs where Guardian consent is required.
The Association may request information to the extent necessary to verify identity, age, or Guardian consent. The Supplementary Provision sets out the treatment of consent given by company, school, and organization users before these Terms take effect.

Article 4 — Requests and Confirmed Bookings

Before submitting a request, users must check the type of use, proposed or booked date and time, duration, conversation partner or selection method, required points or session allowance, free-cancellation deadline, treatment after that deadline, and whether recording applies. Request details may be corrected before final confirmation.
Where partner acceptance or matching is required, receipt of a request alone does not confirm a booking. A booking is confirmed when its date, time, and partner have been finalized and the Association notifies the user on screen or by email. For methods that confirm a booking immediately, final confirmation and notification occur together.
Even if multiple proposed times are specified for an Omakase (Match Me) request, only one conversation is booked. If no booking is confirmed, all individual points held for the request are released.
Pending requests and confirmed bookings are distinguished on screen. The cancellation charges for confirmed bookings under Article 8 do not apply to cancellation of an entire request before a booking is confirmed.
The date and time, duration, type of use, required points or session allowance, cancellation conditions, recording conditions, and other conditions at confirmation are retained as the conditions for that booking. Later changes to prices or terms are not automatically applied retroactively.

Article 5 — Purchasing Individual-Use Points

Individual-use points may be purchased by non-Premium members as well. Points are sold in units of 100, at JPY 980 per 100 points, including tax. There is no bulk-purchase discount.
Users who are Premium members at the time of purchase receive free bonus points equal to 10% of the points purchased. For example, purchasing 100 points for JPY 980 gives a total of 110 points, including 10 bonus points.
Purchased points expire 12 months after the purchase date. Premium bonus points generally expire three months after the grant date. The expiry dates of free campaign or other points are displayed when they are granted. The validity period for each point type is shown before purchase. Specific expiry dates can be checked on the balance screen after purchase or grant.
Users select from the available payment methods displayed on the purchase screen. Payment is made at purchase, and points are credited after the Association confirms completion of payment. Payment confirmation may take time. If points have not appeared, please contact us rather than making a duplicate purchase.
For a single purchase of JPY 30,000 or more including tax, users are additionally asked to confirm expiry dates, the absence of cash refunds under normal circumstances, and permitted uses. Purchases that would bring the purchase-price equivalent of unused paid points above JPY 100,000 are not permitted. Free points are excluded from this calculation, which uses the price paid when the unused paid points were acquired.
Purchasing points and booking conversations are separate procedures. Before purchasing, users should check their eligibility, the points required for the desired conversation, and available booking times. A point purchase does not constitute an application for a Premium membership contract or initiate its automatic renewal.

Article 6 — Use and Expiry of Individual-Use Points

Individual-use points may be used to book conversations designated by the Association within the Service. They are managed separately from corporate-program session allowances and similar entitlements.
Only points that remain valid at the booking's start time may be used. Points expiring before the start time cannot be used. Requests with multiple proposed times must also satisfy the expiry conditions for the proposed times at which a booking could be confirmed.
Points for one conversation are held when a request or booking is made. They are not definitively consumed at that stage; they are consumed or returned depending on whether the conversation takes place, a cancellation occurs after the deadline, the user fails to attend without notice, or another relevant outcome occurs.
Eligible free points are applied first, in order of earliest expiry, followed by purchased points, also in order of earliest expiry.
Holding points does not extend their expiry dates. Points returned following cancellation, an unsuccessful request, or similar circumstances retain their original paid or free classification and expiry dates. Points that have expired by the time they are returned do not become available for use again.
Where a conversation cannot take place for reasons attributable to the Association or a conversation partner and returned points cannot be used because they have expired, appropriate measures will be explained individually. This does not automatically extend the original points' expiry dates or prevent refunds or other measures required by law.
Points may not be transferred, lent, sold to third parties, moved between accounts, or exchanged for cash.

Article 7 — Points Required for Individual Use

The following points are required for a standard 15-minute conversation. The category and required points for a selected partner can be checked on the partner-selection and request-confirmation screens.

Booking method / pricing category	Required points	Reference yen equivalent (including tax)
Omakase (Match Me)	100 points	JPY 980
Choose a Partner — Rank 1	125 points	JPY 1,225
Choose a Partner — Rank 2	150 points	JPY 1,470
Choose a Partner — Rank 3	200 points	JPY 1,960
Choose a Partner — Rank 4	250 points	JPY 2,450
Choose a Partner — Rank 5	500 points	JPY 4,900

The reference yen equivalents are calculated using the standard purchase price of paid points (100 points = JPY 980 including tax). They are not additional charges for each conversation and may differ from the amount actually paid when free points or purchase benefits are used.

Changes to pricing categories are governed by Article 6, paragraph 5 of the Membership Terms and Article 18 of these Terms. The points required for an already confirmed booking are not changed afterward. This table does not apply to company, school, or organization programs.

Article 8 — Cancellation, Lateness, and Absence for Individual Bookings

Situation	Treatment of points
User cancellation up to and including exactly 24 hours before the booking starts	Full return
User cancellation after that deadline but before the scheduled start time	Generally consumed in full
User absence without notice	Generally consumed in full
Conversation cannot take place for reasons attributable to the partner, Association, or Service	Eligible for full return
User's sudden illness, accident, device issues, individual connection issues, or similar circumstances	Normal cancellation and absence conditions generally apply
Disaster, evacuation order, widespread communications outage, or similar circumstances	Exceptions are assessed individually under Article 9

Cancellations must be made through the booking screen. Each booking displays its specific free-cancellation deadline.
At or after the scheduled start time, submissions are handled as reports of absence or session outcomes, or requests for assistance with problems, rather than normal cancellations.
The scheduled end time is generally not extended for lateness. However, lateness attributable to the Association or a conversation partner is handled under Article 9.
Where legal limits apply to cancellation charges or similar amounts, those limits apply. Rights to rescind, terminate, request a return, or exercise other remedies under law are not affected.

Article 9 — Inability to Conduct a Conversation and Disaster-Related Exceptions

If a conversation cannot take place because of a problem attributable to the Association, the conversation partner, or the Service, the Association checks connection records and other evidence and returns all points used to the user's balance. Users wishing to have another conversation should make a new booking. A full return is the standard response when the total time during which conversation could not take place is five minutes or more out of the 15-minute session; individual circumstances are also considered when it is less than five minutes. Rights recognized by law are not affected.
For a user's sudden illness, accident, device or individual connection issues, settings, insufficient preparation, or similar circumstances, points are returned in full for cancellation at least 24 hours before the booking starts, and consumed in full for later cancellation or absence. Rights recognized by law are not affected.
For disasters, evacuation orders, widespread communications outages, or similar circumstances, the Association checks official information, connection records, and other evidence and individually decides whether exceptional treatment is necessary and what it should entail. Users requesting exceptional treatment should contact us within 24 hours after the booking's scheduled end. Where objectively verifiable circumstances exist, such as widespread communications disruption caused by a disaster, acceptance of a late request is assessed individually. Acceptance does not guarantee a return of points. This submission deadline does not extinguish claims recognized by law.
We may request an explanation or supporting materials to the extent needed for the assessment. We do not request unnecessary diagnostic details or personal information.
Association staff assess the reasons and response using the report, connection records, official information, and other evidence, and inform the user. The Association's Representative Director has final decision-making responsibility. Returns or other measures for users and compensation of conversation partners' remuneration are assessed separately.

Article 10 — Cash Refunds and Ending Use

Cash refunds for purchased points are generally not provided for reasons of user convenience. A “return of points” following booking cancellation or similar circumstances is different from a “cash refund.”
For rescission, termination, or refunds under law, duplicate payments, incorrect charges, non-performance attributable to the Association, or similar circumstances, refunds or other necessary measures are provided according to the circumstances and applicable law.
After cancelling Premium membership, users may continue to use their points until their respective expiry dates as long as they retain their membership accounts.
When a user closes their membership account, the treatment of unused points, confirmed bookings, and pending refunds or inquiries is explained before closure is finalized. Closing an account alone does not extinguish rights recognized by law or necessary refunds or settlements.
Returns of points, cash refunds, and other settlements are separate from damages. Liability caps for damages do not apply to necessary returns or refunds, and providing a return or similar remedy alone does not extinguish a claim for damages. Damages are not paid in points instead of money without the user's consent.

Article 11 — Connection Environment and Preparation

Please check the Recommended Environment for Online Conversations and prepare a camera, device, browser, and stable connection. Users bear communications charges and similar costs. Check the camera and connection before the conversation, and in public places or similar settings, take care to prevent third parties from watching the conversation or appearing on screen. The treatment of points and other entitlements when the Service cannot be used is governed by these Terms or the applicable corporate-program conditions.

Article 12 — Safety-Management Recording

All individual-use online conversations are subject to safety-management recording. No non-recorded option is offered. For company, school, and organization programs, recording is determined by the contract and booking conditions. Conversations designated “No recording” or “Awaiting confirmation” are not recorded.
For bookings that will be recorded, consent to safety-management recording is verified separately from consent to the terms. Without that consent, users cannot make new individual-use bookings or new recorded bookings under company, school, or organization programs. The absence of recording consent alone does not suspend non-recorded or awaiting-confirmation bookings under those programs or ordinary services other than online conversations.
Recordings of sign-language conversations are handled to the extent necessary for safety management, responding to problems, verifying that sessions took place, and evaluating the quality of conversation partners' conduct and service operations. Quality evaluation checks matters such as the progress of conversations, treatment of users, and compliance with service rules, and is used for necessary guidance and operational improvements. Audio is not recorded.
Normal retention periods, extensions where necessary, and deletion are set out in Section 4 of the “Addendum on the Handling of Personal Information for Online Conversations.” Where company, school, or organization programs have different recording conditions, those conditions are maintained under Article 1 and are not changed merely because these Terms are revised.
Recordings are reviewed only when necessary by authorized staff. Ordinary safety-management recordings are not used for public release, advertising, or distribution of review videos to users. However, for trial-participant projects or similar initiatives, recordings may be posted on social media or elsewhere within the scope separately explained and consented to by the people appearing in them, including the publication purpose, media, and scope of public disclosure. Consent to safety-management recording alone is not treated as consent to publication. Details and the contact point for disclosure, deletion, and similar requests are set out in the personal-information addendum.
A change in a document's version alone does not change recording conditions for confirmed bookings or trigger an additional request for new recording consent when entering a session.

Article 13 — Secondary Use of Conversation Data

The quality evaluation under Article 12 does not include AI training, AI analysis, or research and development. At the launch of the Service for general individual use, recordings and conversation content are not used for AI training, analysis, or research and development. If such uses are considered in the future, the data concerned, purposes, recipients, and other relevant matters will be explained again and made subject to consent and approval separate from the recording under Article 12. Permission is not inferred from consent to these Terms.

Article 14 — Rules for Safe and Comfortable Conversations

The following conduct is prohibited:

Discrimination, insults, threats, sexual conduct, harassment, or other infringements of rights that harm another person
Compelling disclosure of personal information, contact details, medical history, or similar information, or compelling a relationship or in-person meeting
Unauthorized recording, audio recording, or screenshots of another person or conversation content; screen sharing with third parties; or publication on social media or elsewhere
Account sharing, impersonation, or participation by unauthorized third parties
Directing another person to external services without their consent; using the Service for commercial, religious, political, or similar solicitation; or directing them toward a direct contract for paid services outside the Association
Unauthorized access, interference with the Service, improper acquisition or use of points, or false reports
Conduct contrary to law or public order and morals

These prohibitions do not prevent users from keeping their own records of booking conditions or purchase details, reporting problems to the Association, or exercising lawful rights. If dangerous or uncomfortable conduct occurs, do not feel obliged to continue the conversation; leave the session and notify the Association.

Article 15 — Intellectual Property Rights

Rights in the Service's materials, screens, systems, and similar elements belong to the Association or their legitimate right holders. This does not transfer to the Association rights in general sign-language expressions or expressions already held by users. Consent to recording is not permission to freely use a person's likeness or conversation content for advertising, research, or similar purposes.

Article 16 — Restrictions, Interruption, and Termination of the Service

Where there is a breach of terms, a safety issue, misuse, or similar circumstances, the Association may assess the circumstances and impact and restrict use to the extent necessary. We generally explain the reasons and accept inquiries. Restrictions may be imposed first where urgently needed to ensure safety.
For interruptions due to maintenance, failures, disasters, or similar circumstances, advance notice is given where possible. If termination of the Service is planned, its details and the measures to be taken are generally announced at least one month in advance.
Confirmed bookings, unused points, refunds, and similar matters affected by restrictions, interruption, or termination are handled according to the cause, applicable contract, and law. These are not automatically forfeited, nor is liability avoided, solely at the Association's discretion.

Article 17 — Liability and Contact

Where damage is caused to the other party for reasons attributable to the Association or a user, liability and the scope of damages are governed by Article 15 of the applicable Membership Terms. The Association is not exempt from all liability. The priority of individual contracts under Article 1 and the protection of existing contracts and confirmed bookings under Article 18 remain in place.
These Terms do not restrict liabilities or rights that cannot be restricted under the Consumer Contract Act or other applicable laws.
For inquiries about service conditions, fees, cancellations, complaints, or access to, extended retention of, or deletion of recordings, please contact us through the Contact Form or at info@signs.io. The responsible officer is the Association's Representative Director.
These Terms are governed by Japanese law. Disputes are first addressed through good-faith discussion. If litigation is necessary, the Tokyo District Court or Tokyo Summary Court is the agreed court of jurisdiction. This does not exclude proceedings in another court where permitted by law.

Article 18 — Changes, Consent, and Protection of Existing Bookings

Users who need to consent to these Terms for the first time are shown the relevant type of use, document title, version, and content, and asked for express consent before confirming a new booking request. Consent at membership registration alone is not treated as completing the consent specific to this Service.
Changes to these Terms are made in accordance with law, with advance notice by appropriate means of the changes, who they apply to, and their effective date. Merely viewing the terms or not objecting to a notice does not substitute for required express consent.
Whether renewed consent is necessary is assessed by considering whether the changed provisions apply to the type of use, which document and version are concerned, and whether the change requires renewed consent. A version difference alone does not trigger a uniform request for renewed consent from all users.
Where renewed consent is required, it is requested before a new booking request is made under the affected type of use after the change takes effect. Bookings confirmed before the change retain their original conditions. Failure to complete renewed consent to the new version alone does not prevent checking a booking, entering the session, or conducting the conversation.
Transitional treatment for company, school, and organization users when these Terms take effect is set out in the Supplementary Provision.
If an important future change applicable to companies, schools, or organizations requires renewed consent, it is verified only for the affected users before new bookings following that change. Corporate users are not permanently excluded from version management.
Consent is recorded in a history together with the relevant document, version, scope, person who performed the action, and date and time, so that it can be checked later.

Supplementary Provision

Valid consent from company, school, and organization users at the effective date of these Terms is maintained as a transitional measure. The introduction of these Terms alone does not trigger a renewed-consent screen, suspend new bookings, or change a user's status to consent incomplete. Existing program contract conditions are maintained. Renewed consent for future changes is handled under Article 18.

Effective date: October 1, 2026

Conversation TermsOnline Conversation Service Terms