Last updated: February 2026
Who we are
The Japan Open Textbook Publishing Consortium (日本オープン教科書出版コンソーシアム) (JOTCON) operates openstudio.pub, an open educational resources publishing platform for teachers and educational professionals in Japan.
Website: https://openstudio.pub
Server location: Tokyo, Japan
Contact for privacy inquiries: [email protected]
Our Commitment to Privacy
openstudio.pub, operated by the Japan Open Textbook Consortium (JOTCON), is committed to protecting the privacy of its users in accordance with Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information (個人情報の保護に関する法律, APPI) and its associated guidelines issued by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC). Our goal is not only to meet the requirements of this legislation, but to exceed them by implementing best practices for the collection, use, disclosure, and security of personal information in our custody and control.
Personal Information We Collect
We collect personal information only as necessary to operate the openstudio.pub platform and provide services to our users. Information is collected directly from individuals and may include:
- Account registration details: name, email address, and password (stored in encrypted form)
- Profile information provided voluntarily: institutional affiliation, role, and language preferences
- Technical data collected automatically: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, pages accessed, and date/time of visits
- Payment information where applicable, processed securely through our payment service providers
We do not collect personal information unlawfully, unfairly, or by deceptive means.
Purpose of Use
In accordance with Article 17 of the APPI, we specify the purpose of use as narrowly as practicable. Personal information collected by openstudio.pub is used for the following purposes:
- Creating and managing user accounts and providing access to platform features
- Communicating service updates, notifications, and support responses
- Processing payments and fulfilling orders where applicable
- Analyzing and improving platform performance and user experience
- Complying with legal obligations
We will not use personal information beyond the scope necessary to achieve these stated purposes without first obtaining your consent, except as permitted or required by law.
Disclosure to Third Parties
openstudio.pub does not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing or mailing list purposes. Disclosure to third parties may occur only in the following limited circumstances:
- To service providers and contractors who assist in operating the platform, under contractual obligations consistent with this policy
- When required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
- With your explicit prior consent
Any third-party service providers engaged by openstudio.pub are required to handle personal information in compliance with the APPI and our privacy standards. A list of third-party service providers is available upon request by contacting our Privacy Officer.
Links to Third-Party Sites
The openstudio.pub platform may contain links to external websites operated by other organizations. These links are provided for convenience only. openstudio.pub assumes no responsibility for the privacy practices or content of any linked third-party sites. Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any external sites they visit.
Retention of Personal Information
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purposes of collection, or as required by applicable law. When personal information is no longer needed, we take appropriate steps to dispose of it securely.
Security Measures
openstudio.pub implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include encrypted data transmission (TLS/SSL), password hashing, access controls, secure server infrastructure, and periodic security reviews.
Your Rights as a Data Subject
Under the APPI, individuals have the right to request disclosure, correction, addition, deletion, or cessation of use of their personal information held by openstudio.pub. Requests will be handled promptly and in good faith. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.
Contact and Inquiries
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the handling of your personal information at openstudio.pub, or wish to exercise your rights under the APPI, please contact our Privacy Officer:
openstudio.pub — Privacy Officer
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://openstudio.pub
Updates to This Policy
openstudio.pub may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or applicable law. Material changes will be communicated to users via the platform or by email. Continued use of the platform following notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
This policy is governed by Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI, Law No. 57 of 2003, as amended). For reference, the official English translation is available at: https://www.ppc.go.jp/en/legal/