Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 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.

What we do not collect

This site has no user accounts, no comment system, and no forms beyond the newsletter subscription. We do not collect names, addresses, phone numbers, or payment information.

Cookies and Local Storage

  • Theme preference — stores your light/dark mode choice in localStorage. This data never leaves your browser.
  • 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 by emailing us at contact@helloworldjapan.com.

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 contact@helloworldjapan.com.

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
contact@helloworldjapan.com