1. Scope

This Policy applies to cookies and similar technologies used on this Company-operated website.

External websites linked from this site, including universities, research institutions, journals, and partners, are governed by their respective operators’ policies.

When external content is embedded here, information may be transmitted as it loads even if you do not leave this site. This Policy also explains that handling.

2. Cookies & Similar Technologies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of information saved to a computer or smartphone through a browser when you use a website. They can identify the browser and record settings or usage.

Some cookies are set under our domain and others under external service domains.

Even a cookie stored under our domain may be processed by an external provider for analytics. The location where a cookie is stored and the company receiving and using its information are not necessarily the same.

What Are Similar Technologies?

Other mechanisms store information in a browser or transmit browsing information through tags or scripts.

This Policy covers those technologies too. Device and browsing information may be collected or transmitted even where cookies are not used.

3. Purposes of Use

We classify the purposes of cookies and related technologies by function below. Sections 4 and 5 describe the actual services used and information handled.

Site Operation & Security

These technologies may deliver requested functions, manage sessions, prevent unauthorized access or submissions, and remember choices needed for proper site operation.

We distinguish technologies necessary for site functions from those used for optional purposes such as analytics.

Improving Convenience

These technologies may remember display language or settings you choose so you do not need to select them repeatedly.

The functions and information saved depend on the features actually implemented.

Analytics & Site Improvement

We use these tools to understand viewed pages, navigation, devices, and access to materials and to improve site organization, display, navigation paths, and usability.

Analytics helps us understand use of the site and is distinct from functions essential for basic browsing.

External Content & Features

Cookies or similar technologies may be used to provide research videos, maps, form security, or other external features.

We explain the information and purposes of the provider as well as our own reasons for using the feature.

4. Analytics with Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how the site is used and improve its content and usability.

Depending on settings, Google Analytics collects cookie identifiers, pages viewed, dates and times, referrers, interactions, and device or browser information and transmits them to Google. IP addresses and other communication information are also sent to Google.

How We Use Analytics

We use analytics results to understand use of research and technology pages and public materials and whether visitors can find needed information.

We do not intend to send names, email addresses, inquiry text, or patient-identifying information for analytics. We manage settings to keep those details out of forms, page URLs, and events sent to Analytics. Google also requires users not to send personally identifiable information to Analytics.

How Google Handles Information

Information sent to Google is handled under applicable terms of service, data-processing terms, privacy policies, and our settings.

Please distinguish our purposes for analytics from the provider’s handling of data. Google describes its use in “How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services” and its Privacy Policy.

• Service in Use
  Confirm the version actually in use
• Service Provider
  Enter the legal entity under the applicable agreement or terms
• Our Purpose of Use
  Analyze browsing and improve content organization, usability, and navigation
• Cookies Used
  List the cookie names and identifiers actually set
• Cookie Lifetime
  List actual duration and renewal conditions
• Analytics Data Retention
  List user-level and event-level retention periods and reset settings
• Advertising Features & Data Sharing
  List the actual settings for Google signals, advertising integration, data sharing, and related features
• When Transmission Begins & How to Stop It
  Describe the implemented consent controls and opt-out method

5. Transmission to External Services

When this site uses an external service, information may be sent directly from your browser to its provider.

For example, depending on its configuration, an embedded video can transmit the page URL, IP address, and device information when it loads, before playback begins. Not interacting with external content does not necessarily mean no information was sent.

6. Retention of Cookies & Related Data

Some cookies maintain a session and others remain until their configured expiration. Actual duration varies with settings, renewal on a return visit, browser behavior, and deletion by the user.

The lifetime of a cookie on a device differs from the period for which an external service retains analytics data.

Google Analytics, for example, has user-level and event-level data retention settings, but these do not apply identically to every standard aggregate report.

Our settings are described in Sections 4 and 5. Check the external provider’s information for data it independently retains.

7. Consent & User Choices

Where prior consent is required by applicable law or service terms, we explain the feature, information collected or transmitted, and purposes before obtaining the necessary consent.

Continuing to browse, scrolling, or reading this Policy alone does not constitute required consent.

For features used on the basis of consent, we explain how to refuse, change, or withdraw that consent.

A cookie choice does not serve as consent to research participation or to provide medical information.

8. Managing Settings in Browsers & External Services

Browser Settings

You can delete stored cookies or limit their storage and reading through your browser settings. Instructions and available controls vary by browser and device; consult your browser’s official guidance.

Deleting or restricting cookies may remove saved settings or login status. If cookie choices are themselves stored using cookies, you may need to set them again.

Limiting Google Analytics

On supported browsers, Google’s “Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on” can prevent the relevant Google Analytics JavaScript from using data. Check Google’s guidance for its terms and supported environments.

This does not stop every external service, network communication with servers, or all data collection on this and other sites.

Scope of Settings

Browser settings and add-ons usually apply only to the browser and device where they are configured. Check settings separately on other devices or browsers.

Deleting cookies or using private browsing does not stop all transmission to external services. Some communications and data transfers do not use cookies.

9. Relationship to Personal Information

Identifiers and browsing information handled through cookies are not necessarily anonymous even when they contain no name.

If they can readily be combined with other information to identify a person, they constitute personal information as a whole. Even if they do not, they may be “personally referable information” under Japanese law.

We follow applicable law according to the nature and actual handling of the information. See the Privacy Policy for purposes, security, third-party disclosure, overseas handling, and requests for disclosure where it is treated as personal information.

View Privacy Policy

10. Review of This Policy

We review this Policy when website functions, external services, cookie settings, or applicable laws change.

When introducing a service or changing a purpose, we assess the information collected or transmitted and the effect on users, then provide explanations and obtain consent where necessary.

Updating this Policy alone cannot be treated as consent to new handling that requires consent.

Effective date: 2024.04.01
Last revised: 2026.09.22