Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 10 July 2026 | Effective: 10 July 2026

CAR IN JAPAN CO., LTD. (“Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy governs your use of car-in-japan.com and all services provided by CAR IN JAPAN CO., LTD., a Japanese vehicle export company incorporated under the laws of Japan and headquartered at 289-1099, Harumi Ofuisutaway (24-kai), Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Please read this policy carefully. If you disagree with its terms, please discontinue use of our site.

1. WHO WE ARE

Company Details

CAR IN JAPAN CO., LTD. is a registered automotive export company incorporated under the laws of Japan, operating from its registered headquarters at: 289-1099, Harumi Ofuisutaway (24-kai), Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

We operate as a global Japanese vehicle export specialist, sourcing and exporting certified new and used Japanese vehicles to international markets including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania. For all privacy matters, contact: [email protected]

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information you voluntarily submit when you:

Register or create an account on our website
Submit an inquiry or contact form
Place a vehicle order (full name, billing address, destination port address, import license details, vehicle specifications)
Subscribe to our newsletter or vehicle alerts
Communicate with us via WhatsApp, email, or phone
Apply for dealership or partnership programs

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, time of visit)
Device information (device type, operating system, screen resolution)
Cookie data (session identifiers, preference cookies, analytics cookies)
Approximate geographic location derived from IP address (country/city level)
Usage analytics (pages viewed, search queries, click patterns)

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

Logistics partners and freight forwarders (shipment tracking, delivery confirmation)
Japanese customs and export authorities (export licensing, customs declarations)
Analytics providers (Google Analytics, aggregated data)
Social media platforms if you interact with our pages
Referral partners and our 12,000+ global dealer network

2.4 Sensitive Information

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information (race, ethnicity, health, biometric, or political data). If such information is inadvertently submitted, it will be deleted promptly and will not be used for any purpose.

3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

3.1 Legitimate Business Purposes

To process and fulfil Japanese vehicle export orders
To communicate with you (order confirmations, inspection reports, shipment updates)
To verify your identity and conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) checks for high-value transactions
To process payments (coordinating bank transfers, verifying receipts, issuing invoices)
To comply with Japanese export laws, MLIT regulations, customs documentation, and anti-money laundering (AML) requirements
To improve our website, vehicle selection, and customer experience
To send marketing communications (only with your consent)
To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security threats

3.2 Legal Bases for Processing (GDPR)

For users in the European Economic Area:

Contract performance: Processing necessary to fulfil your vehicle export order
Legal obligation: Compliance with Japanese export regulations and tax law
Legitimate interests: Fraud prevention, website security, business analytics
Consent: Marketing communications and non-essential cookies

4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

4.1 Service Providers

We share your information with trusted third-party service providers including:

Freight forwarders and shipping companies for vehicle transportation
Customs brokers for export and import clearance
Payment processors and correspondent banks for transaction processing
IT service providers (website hosting, email services, CRM)
Legal and compliance advisors
Cargo insurance providers

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your personal information where required by Japanese law, MLIT regulations, or in response to valid requests from public authorities. We will notify you of such disclosure where legally permitted.

4.3 We Do NOT Sell Your Data

CAR IN JAPAN does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise transfer your personally identifiable information to third parties for their marketing purposes.

5. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

5.1 Cross-Border Processing

As a Japanese export company serving global markets, your personal information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in countries including Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, the UAE, and other countries where we or our service providers operate. We implement appropriate safeguards including standard contractual clauses, data processing agreements, and encryption (TLS 1.2+ in transit, AES-256 at rest).

6. DATA RETENTION

6.1 Retention Periods

Customer order records: 7 years (Japanese tax and commercial law)
Export and customs documentation: 5 years (MLIT and customs regulatory requirements)
Payment records: 7 years (Japanese financial records law)
General inquiry records: 2 years from last interaction
Marketing consent records: Until consent is withdrawn + 3 years
Job application records: 1 year if unsuccessful

7. COOKIES

7.1 Cookie Types

Strictly Necessary: Essential for website operation. Cannot be disabled.
Performance/Analytics: Google Analytics, site performance monitoring. Require consent.
Functional: Remember preferences (language, currency, region). Require consent.
Marketing/Targeting: Advertising and remarketing. Require explicit consent.

7.2 Managing Cookies

Control cookies through our cookie consent banner, your browser settings, or Google Analytics opt-out at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

8. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

8.1 Rights Available to You

Depending on your country of residence, you may have rights including: access to your data, rectification of inaccurate data, erasure, restriction of processing, data portability, objection to processing, and withdrawal of consent. Submit requests to: [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.

9. DATA SECURITY

9.1 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures including: TLS 1.2+ encryption in transit, AES-256 encryption at rest, access controls limiting data to authorised personnel, bcrypt password hashing, regular vulnerability scanning, and a documented data breach response procedure. We will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities within 72 hours of a confirmed breach where legally required.

9.2 Payment Security

We do not process or store payment card data. All financial transactions are conducted via direct bank transfer (T/T) to verified corporate accounts. Our bank details are provided directly and securely. Always verify bank details with our team at [email protected] before transferring funds.

10. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

10.1 Age Restriction

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. Contact us immediately at [email protected] if you believe a child has provided us with personal information.

11. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

11.1 Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated via email and website notice with 30 days advance notice. The updated date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. This policy was last reviewed on 10 July 2026.

12. CONTACT US

Privacy Enquiries

For all privacy-related enquiries:

Email: [email protected]
Post: Data Protection Officer, CAR IN JAPAN CO., LTD., 289-1099, Harumi Ofuisutaway (24-kai), Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Response Time: Within 2 business days acknowledgment; 30 days for full response