Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Hello World Japan, operated by Dawnlight LLC ("we", "us", or "our"), collects, uses, and protects information when you visit https://helloworldjapan.com.

Information We Collect

Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 to understand how visitors interact with this site. This may include your approximate location, browser type, device type, pages visited, and time spent on the site. This data is anonymised and aggregated — we cannot identify you personally from it.

Google Analytics only loads if you choose to accept cookies via the consent banner shown on your first visit. You can decline at any time by clearing your cookies and choosing "Decline" when the banner reappears.

Newsletter subscriptions

If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email address is collected and stored securely by our subscription service. We use it solely to send you articles, updates, and occasional announcements related to Japan's tech industry and expat life. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email we send, and your address will be deleted promptly upon request.

Job alerts

If you sign up for job alerts, we collect your email address and the delivery preferences you select (desired roles, locations, minimum salary, Japanese level, delivery frequency, whether you need visa sponsorship, and whether you are currently in Japan). We use this solely to send you notifications about listings matching your selected preferences.

We keep the consent text shown at signup, and its version, as the record of your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any alert email; unsubscribed addresses are kept on a suppression list so they are not emailed again. Your signup data is retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion, and is deleted promptly upon request.

Job applications

If you apply to a role through our job board, we collect the information you submit in the application form. This includes your name, email address, current location, working-visa status, language levels, availability, your answer to why you are suitable, any referee details you choose to provide, and the resume (PDF) you attach.

Purpose of use. We use this information solely to process your application and to pass it to the employer for the role you selected, so that the employer can consider you for that position.

Disclosure to the employer. When you submit an application and give your consent, your application data and resume are forwarded to the hiring employer for that role (for example, Gazai) for their recruitment purposes. We share your data only with the employer for the specific role you chose to apply to. We do not sell your data or use it for advertising.

Data retention. Application data is retained only as long as needed to process your application and for a reasonable period afterwards for record-keeping, after which it is deleted. You can ask us to delete it sooner (see below).

Access, correction, and deletion. You can request access to, correction of, or deletion of your application data at any time by emailing us at helloworldjapan@dawnlight.co.jp. Note that once your application has been forwarded to the employer, you may also need to contact that employer directly regarding data they hold.

Security. Applications are transmitted over an encrypted (HTTPS) connection and handled through our email provider (Resend). We restrict access to application data to those who need it to process your application.

Partner chat interview (optional)

If you apply to a partner employer's role, we may offer you an optional chat-style interview after your application. The questions are provided by that partner employer. Your answers, together with your name and email address, are forwarded verbatim to the employer you applied to, for recruitment purposes only — we do not evaluate, score, or edit them.

Your progress and answers are stored in your browser's localStorage so you can resume after a refresh; you can remove them at any time by clearing your browser data. Answers forwarded to the employer are handled under the same retention and deletion rules as job applications.

Cookies and Local Storage

  • Theme preference — stores your light/dark mode choice in localStorage. This data never leaves your browser.
  • Chat interview progress — if you take an optional chat interview, your progress and answers are stored in localStorage so you can resume after a refresh. Completed answers are sent to the employer as described above. Clear your browser data to remove them.
  • Analytics — Google Analytics sets cookies to distinguish unique visitors and sessions. See Google's Privacy Policy for details.

Affiliate and Referral Links

Some articles on this site contain affiliate or referral links. If you use one of these links to sign up for a service, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Terms of Use for full details.

Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services, each governed by their own privacy policies:

Data Retention

Analytics data is retained for 14 months in Google Analytics before automatic deletion. Newsletter subscriber data is held until you unsubscribe or request deletion. Job application data is held only as long as needed to process your application and for a reasonable record-keeping period afterwards, then deleted. To request deletion, email us at helloworldjapan@dawnlight.co.jp.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights under GDPR (EU/EEA), the Act on Protection of Personal Information (Japan), CCPA (California), or other applicable laws — including the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at helloworldjapan@dawnlight.co.jp.

Children's Privacy

This site is not directed at children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact

For any privacy-related questions or data requests, please contact:
Dawnlight LLC / Hello World Japan
helloworldjapan@dawnlight.co.jp