Cookie Policy

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers). When you visit a website, they are sent to your browser and stored on your computer’s hard drive, tablet, or mobile device. Cookies enable essential site functions, help remember your preferences, and provide insights into how visitors interact with our website.

Technologies Similar to Cookies

In addition to cookies, our website and the third-party service providers we work with may use a range of similar tracking technologies. These operate in ways comparable to cookies and are included within the scope of this Cookie Policy (“Policy”), and include:

1. Web Beacons

   Web beacons (also known as Pixel Tags or Clear GIFs) are tiny, transparent image files embedded in web pages or emails. When loaded, they send a signal to a server, enabling us or our partners to record that a page was viewed or an email was opened.

2. Local Storage and Session Storage

   Local or session storage allows larger amounts of data to be stored directly in your browser. It can retain items such as form inputs or display preferences and helps improve your browsing experience. Unlike cookies, the data is not sent back to the server automatically.

   Although Local Storage and Session Storage are technically different from cookies, we treat them in the same way for data protection purposes and apply the same consent requirements where applicable.

3. Device Fingerprinting

   Device fingerprinting identifies your device based on its technical characteristics – such as browser type, operating system, screen resolution, and installed fonts. Even without cookies, this combination of attributes can help recognise returning devices.

   We do not actively use device fingerprinting as a standalone tracking method on our website. However, some third-party analytics providers may process limited technical device information as part of their services.

   Where this occurs, such processing is subject to your consent for the relevant cookie category (typically performance and analytics cookies).

4. Session Replay (User Interaction Recording)

   Some analytics tools may use session replay technology to analyse how visitors interact with a webpage. These technologies are further explained under the “Performance and Analytics Cookies” section below.

   In this Policy we call all cookies and similar technologies “cookies”

Third-Party Technologies Used on Our Website

Some third-party services we use may apply their own cookies or similar technologies. These include:

• Services used for essential site functions and basic analytics
• Embedded contact forms
• Embedded social media content which may place cookies or collect technical information when the embedded content loads

Types of Cookies We Use

When you visit our website, we and our trusted partners may place cookies and similar technologies on your device. These technologies fall into several categories, each serving a different purpose. Some are strictly necessary for the website to function, while others rely on your consent and help us analyse usage and improve performance. Below is a detailed explanation of each category.

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

   These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They enable basic features such as page navigation, security, and access to secure areas (e.g., logging in or submitting forms). Without these cookies, the site may not operate correctly. Because these cookies are required for our services, they do not require your consent.

   Examples include:

   • Maintaining session IDs so you remain logged in
   • Security and fraud-prevention measures
   • Saving your cookie-consent preferences

   Strictly necessary cookies are exempt from the consent requirement under applicable ePrivacy rules, as they are required for the basic operation and security of our website. Any personal data processed through these cookies is handled in accordance with the GDPR and is based on our legitimate interests or, where applicable, the performance of a contract.

2. Functional or Preference Cookies

   These cookies remember choices you make, such as your preferred language, region, or display settings. They help personalise your experience and make the website more convenient to use. Because they are not strictly necessary, these cookies require your consent before being set.

   Examples include:

   • Remembering your selected language or currency
   • Saving your location for region-specific content
   • Storing accessibility preferences (font size, contrast mode, etc.)

   These functional or preference cookies are used based on your consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR).

3. Performance and Analytics Cookies

   These cookies and similar technologies help us understand how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often, how users navigate the site, and whether errors occur.

   Some analytics tools we use may include session replay functionality. Session replay records interactions such as clicks, scrolling, and mouse movements to help analyse website performance and identify usability issues. Text input fields are masked to avoid capturing sensitive information, and personal identifiers are pseudonymised to protect user privacy.

   Analytics and session replay technologies are activated only after you provide your consent through our cookie banner.

4. Social Media Cookies

   These cookies relate to content and features provided by social media platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or YouTube.
   If you interact with embedded content or social sharing buttons, these platforms may collect information about that interaction.

   Examples include:

   • “Like” or “Share” buttons
   • Embedded posts or videos
   • Aggregated analytics and insights provided by social networks

   These platforms may technically attempt to set cookies as soon as the embedded content loads, even before you interact with it. However, our consent-management tool blocks the loading of these third-party scripts and embedded content until you provide your consent. As a result, no cookies are set and no personal data is transmitted to the relevant social media providers before consent is given.

   Profiling by Social Media Providers

   When we embed social media content on our website (such as YouTube or Facebook), those providers may collect technical information about your device or your interaction with the embedded content. They may combine this with information they already hold from your use of their services and use it for their own analytics or profiling purposes.

   Such processing is carried out under the privacy policies of the relevant providers, which may involve transfers of data outside the EEA or UK. Where such transfers occur, they rely on appropriate transfer mechanisms such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) and Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), as described in our main Privacy Policy. We do not use this data for our own profiling or advertising purposes.

5. Advertising and Marketing Cookies

   These cookies are used to support our advertising activities. Where advertising cookies are used, they may help measure the performance of advertising campaigns and, where enabled and permitted by applicable law, support personalised or interest-based advertising (remarketing). We use tools such as Google Ads.

   Because they involve profiling and cross-site tracking, these cookies require your explicit consent and remain inactive unless you allow them. Google may, in accordance with its Privacy Policy, combine information collected from our site with data from other websites using Google’s advertising services. Such processing is carried out under Google’s Privacy Policy and may involve international transfers outside the EEA or UK.

   The lawful basis for the use of advertising and remarketing cookies is your explicit consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR).

   How We Obtain Your Consent

   When you first visit our website, a cookie banner will be displayed. This banner explains our use of cookies and allows you to accept, reject, or customise your preferences for non-essential cookies.

   We do not place any non-essential cookies or similar technologies on your device until you have given your consent through the banner. Strictly necessary cookies may be placed immediately, as they are required for the website to function.

   You can review or change your cookie preferences at any time by using the “Cookie settings” option available on our website.

   Managing Your Cookie Preferences

   You can give, refuse, or withdraw your consent at any time using the “Cookie settings” option at the bottom of our website.

   Within the Cookie settings panel, you can manage your preferences for different categories of non-essential cookies, depending on the configuration of the consent management platform used on the website.

   Your browser may also allow you to:

   • View stored cookies
   • Delete some or all cookies
   • Block cookies entirely
   • Allow cookies only from certain sites

   Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect the proper functioning of our website.

First-Party and Third-Party Cookies

When cookies are stored on your device, they may come from different sources. Some are placed directly by our website, while others are set by companies that provide services such as analytics. Here is the difference:

1. First-Party Cookies

   Who sets them

   These cookies are created and stored by our website - the same domain you are visiting. They allow the website to function properly and remember your settings.

   What they do

   • Keep you logged in as you navigate between pages
   • Remember your language, region, or other preferences (with your consent)
   • Save your cookie consent choices so you are not asked repeatedly

   Where the data goes

   Data collected by first-party cookies is sent to our servers. We do not automatically share this cookie data with third parties, though we may use third-party analytics services to process aggregated usage data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

   Privacy impact

   First-party cookies generally do not track you across other websites and are typically considered low-risk.

2. Third-Party Cookies

   Who sets them

   Third-party cookies are cookies that are set by a domain different from the one you are visiting. These cookies are commonly associated with third-party services such as analytics, advertising, or social media providers. In modern browsers, third-party cookies are increasingly restricted or blocked by default. As a result, some third-party services may rely on alternative technologies, operate through first-party configurations, or function only after you interact with embedded content or provide your consent.

   What they do

   • Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
   • Enable features such as embedded videos, maps, social media content or “share” buttons
   • Allow social media providers to understand how users interact with their embedded content on our site (for their own analytics or profiling purposes)
   • Enable advertising and remarketing technologies (e.g., Google Ads)

   Where the data goes

   Data collected by these cookies may be sent directly to the relevant third-party provider. These providers may combine this information with data they already hold from your use of their services.

   International transfers

   Some third-party providers process data outside the EEA or UK. Where this occurs, their processing is carried out under their own privacy policies and may involve international transfers, as described in our main Privacy Policy.

   Privacy impact

   Because third-party cookies may enable analytics, profiling or tracking by the provider, they are activated only after you give your consent through our cookie banner. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

How to Manage First-party and Third-party Cookies

You can control both first-party and third-party cookies at any time by using the “Cookie settings” option on our website.

You may also:

• Adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies
• Review the privacy or cookie settings offered by social media platforms if you wish to manage how your data is used on their services

Blocking some cookies may affect features provided by external services, such as embedded videos, maps, or social media content.

Retention Periods for Cookies

The retention period of cookies and similar technologies varies depending on their purpose and whether they are session-based or persistent.

In general:

• Session cookies are typically deleted when you close the browser tab or window, though some browsers may restore them if you reopen a saved session.
• Performance and analytics cookies are typically retained for a limited period ranging from several months up to two (2) years, depending on the configuration and provider.
• Session replay and interaction data, where used, is retained only for a short period necessary for analysis and troubleshooting purposes.

For full transparency, the exact retention period of each cookie used on our website is shown in the cookie declaration generated by our consent management platform below.

Detailed List of Cookies

We provide an up-to-date list of cookies and similar technologies used on this website through a cookie consent management platform.

This cookie declaration provides key information about each cookie and similar technology, including its name, provider, purpose, duration, and the technical method used to store or access information on your device. The types of cookies shown in the declaration may differ depending on the website you visit.

Because our site integrates analytics tools and embedded social media content, the specific cookies set may vary depending on your consent choices and browser settings. We do not activate any non-essential cookies unless you provide your consent.

For full transparency, the exact retention period of each cookie used on our website is shown in the cookie declaration generated by our consent management platform below.

• Corporate Website
• Japanese Language School Website
• Yaaay
• Strategic Content Marketing Website

Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page, with the revision date shown at the top of the Policy. If changes are significant, we will notify you in advance through a prominent notice such as pop-up notification. We encourage you to review this Policy regularly to stay informed about our use of cookies and similar technologies.

Contact Information

For general information about how we process personal data, please refer to our main Privacy Policy.