Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Last Updated: January 1, 2025

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and SpeakMaster Academy ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), a professional training organization registered in Japan under registration number 42989785.

These Terms govern your access to and use of our website, services, programs, and any related content, materials, or communications. By registering for our services, making a payment, or otherwise engaging with our business, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with these Terms.

2. Services Description

SpeakMaster Academy provides professional communication training services, including but not limited to:

• Interview Excellence Coaching - personalized interview preparation and technique training
• Public Speaking Mastery - presentation skills and confidence development programs
• Professional Communication Skills - workplace communication enhancement training
• One-on-one coaching sessions
• Group workshops and seminars
• Corporate training programs
• Educational resources, blog content, and supplementary materials

Service descriptions, pricing, and program details are provided on our website and in program materials. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any service at any time without prior notice, though we will make reasonable efforts to notify enrolled clients of significant changes.

3. Eligibility and Registration

3.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to register for and use our services. By using our services, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

3.2 Account Information

When registering for our services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your information to keep it accurate and current
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of any login credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account

3.3 Right to Refuse Service

We reserve the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or cancel registrations at our sole discretion, including but not limited to cases involving:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Abusive or disrespectful behavior toward staff or other clients
• Providing false or misleading information

4. Pricing and Payment

4.1 Fees

All fees for our services are quoted in Japanese Yen (¥) unless otherwise specified. Current pricing is available on our website and in program materials. Prices are subject to change at any time, though changes will not affect services already purchased.

4.2 Payment Terms

Payment is required in advance for all services unless alternative arrangements have been made in writing. We accept payment via:

• Credit/debit cards
• Bank transfer
• Other payment methods as specified during booking

4.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed securely through third-party payment processors. By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge the specified amount for requested services. You represent and warrant that:

• You have the legal right to use the payment method provided
• The payment information you provide is accurate and complete
• You will pay all charges incurred at the prices in effect when incurred

4.4 Late Payment

If payment for services is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to:

• Suspend or cancel scheduled sessions
• Charge late fees as specified in your service agreement
• Pursue collection of outstanding amounts
• Terminate your access to services

4.5 Taxes

All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes unless stated otherwise. You are responsible for paying all taxes associated with your purchase, including but not limited to sales tax, consumption tax, VAT, or other similar taxes.

5. Scheduling and Attendance

5.1 Session Scheduling

Coaching sessions and workshops are scheduled by mutual agreement between you and your assigned coach. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your scheduling preferences, though availability is not guaranteed.

5.2 Cancellation and Rescheduling

You may cancel or reschedule a session with at least 24 hours advance notice without penalty. Cancellations or reschedule requests made with less than 24 hours notice may result in forfeiture of that session unless extenuating circumstances exist at our discretion.

5.3 No-Show Policy

If you fail to attend a scheduled session without prior notice, the session will be considered forfeited and no refund or make-up session will be provided.

5.4 Coach Cancellations

In the rare event that we must cancel a session, we will provide you with as much notice as possible and work with you to reschedule at no additional cost. We are not liable for any indirect costs or damages resulting from session cancellations.

6. Program Duration and Expiration

Multi-session programs must be completed within the timeframe specified in your program agreement, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months depending on the program. Sessions not used within this period will expire and no refund will be provided for unused sessions.

Extensions may be granted in cases of medical emergencies or other extenuating circumstances at our sole discretion and may be subject to additional fees.

7. Client Responsibilities

As a client of SpeakMaster Academy, you agree to:

• Arrive on time for all scheduled sessions
• Complete any assigned preparation work or exercises
• Participate actively and honestly in coaching sessions
• Communicate openly with your coach about your goals and challenges
• Treat coaches and staff with respect and professionalism
• Maintain confidentiality of proprietary training materials and methods
• Not record sessions without explicit written permission
• Provide timely feedback when requested

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Ownership

All content, materials, methodologies, and resources provided by SpeakMaster Academy, including but not limited to training materials, handouts, presentations, videos, written content, logos, and trademarks, are the exclusive property of SpeakMaster Academy or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use materials provided as part of your enrolled program solely for your personal, non-commercial use. You may not:

• Copy, reproduce, or distribute our materials without written permission
• Modify, adapt, or create derivative works from our content
• Use our materials for commercial purposes
• Share login credentials or access with unauthorized third parties
• Remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary markings

8.3 User-Generated Content

If you provide testimonials, feedback, or other content to us, you grant us a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display such content for marketing and promotional purposes.

9. Confidentiality

We respect the confidential nature of coaching relationships. Information you share during coaching sessions will be kept confidential, except:

• Where you provide written consent to disclosure
• Where required by law or legal process
• Where necessary to protect the safety of you, our staff, or others
• In anonymized form for quality improvement or research purposes

You agree to maintain confidentiality regarding our proprietary coaching methods, materials, and business information.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations

10.1 No Guaranteed Results

While we strive to provide high-quality training that produces positive outcomes, we cannot and do not guarantee specific results from our services. Success depends on many factors including your effort, preparation, circumstances, and the decisions of third parties (such as hiring managers). Your results may vary.

10.2 Not Professional Advice

Our services provide educational training and coaching in communication skills. We do not provide legal, financial, medical, psychological, or other licensed professional advice. If you need such advice, please consult an appropriate licensed professional.

10.3 Service Availability

We strive to provide uninterrupted access to our services, but we do not guarantee that:

• Services will be available at all times without interruption
• Our website or systems will be error-free or secure
• Defects will be corrected
• Our servers are free of viruses or other harmful components

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

SpeakMaster Academy, its owners, directors, employees, coaches, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities
• Loss of data or information
• Cost of substitute services
• Failure to obtain employment or promotions
• Damage to reputation

Our total liability for any claims arising from or related to our services shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SpeakMaster Academy and its officers, directors, employees, coaches, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your use or misuse of our services
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any content you provide to us
• Your willful misconduct or negligence

13. Termination

13.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your relationship with us at any time by providing written notice. Termination does not entitle you to a refund except as specified in our Refund Policy.

13.2 Termination by Us

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to services immediately, without prior notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Non-payment of fees
• Abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior
• Fraudulent activity
• Any reason at our sole discretion

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use services immediately ceases
• You must cease use of all our materials and resources
• Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, and limitations of liability

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Yokohama, Japan.

14.3 Informal Resolution

Before pursuing formal legal action, you agree to first contact us to seek an informal resolution of any dispute. We will work in good faith to resolve complaints and disputes directly with you.

15. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Post the revised Terms on our website
• Notify you via email if changes are material

Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must discontinue use of our services.

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Refund Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and SpeakMaster Academy regarding your use of our services and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, governmental actions, or technical failures.

16.6 Language

These Terms are provided in English. If translated into other languages, the English version shall prevail in case of any discrepancy or inconsistency.

17. Contact Information