Privacy Policy

Yamaguchi Motors 合同会社
Last Updated: April 2026

1. Who We Are

We are a used car dealership and worldwide vehicle export company based in Ota City, Gunma, Japan. We serve customers in Japan and internationally in all countries worldwide.

2. What Personal Information We Collect

We collect personal information when you contact us, make an inquiry, place an order, or use our website.

2.1 Identity Information

• Full name, date of birth, nationality
• Passport or national ID number (for export and identity verification)
• Driver's license details (for vehicle purchase and registration)
• Residence card / visa status (for foreign residents in Japan)

2.2 Contact Information

• Phone number (including WhatsApp and LINE)
• Email address, home or business address
• Country of residence and destination port (for export customers)

2.3 Transaction Information

• Vehicle preferences, budget, and purchase requirements
• Order history, transaction records, deposit and refund records
• Payment details (amount, method, date)
• Bank account or card information (processed securely via Stripe or bank transfer)
• Auction bid records made on your behalf

2.4 Export & Shipping Information

• Destination country, port, and importer details
• Bill of Lading and shipping document details
• Pre-shipment inspection records (JEVIC or equivalent)

2.5 Vehicle Documentation

• Vehicle registration details (車検証 / Shaken-sho)
• Auction sheets and inspection reports
• Chassis number, VIN, and ownership transfer records (名義変更)

2.6 Website & Communication Data

• IP address, browser type, pages visited, time on site
• Contact form submissions
• Messages sent via WhatsApp, LINE, email, or social media
• Cookie data (see Section 8)

3. How We Use Your Personal Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

• SERVICE To process vehicle inquiries, orders, reservations, and purchases
• SERVICE To source vehicles from Japanese auctions on your behalf
• SERVICE To arrange domestic delivery or international shipping of vehicles
• SERVICE To handle vehicle registration, name transfer, and Shaken procedures
• EXPORT To prepare export documentation including export certificates and customs declarations
• EXPORT To communicate with freight forwarders and customs authorities on your behalf
• PAYMENT To process payments, deposits, and refunds securely
• LEGAL To verify your identity and comply with Japanese Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations
• LEGAL To comply with Japanese export control laws (FEFTA) and sanctions screening
• LEGAL To meet tax, accounting, and legal reporting obligations in Japan
• SUPPORT To respond to your inquiries and provide after-sales support
• IMPROVE To improve our website, services, and customer experience
• MARKETING To send relevant vehicle offers or updates — only with your consent

4. How We Share Your Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for commercial purposes. We may share your information only in the following situations:

4.1 Service Partners

• Freight forwarders and shipping companies — to arrange international export and delivery
• Japanese auction houses (USS, TAA, CAA, JU, ARAI, ZIP, BayAuc, BCN, Mirive) — for vehicle bidding and purchase on your behalf
• Vehicle inspection companies (JEVIC and equivalent) — for pre-shipment inspection certificates
• Transport companies — for domestic vehicle delivery within Japan

4.2 Payment Processors

• Stripe Inc. — for secure credit/debit card payment processing
• Banks and financial institutions — for international and domestic bank transfers

4.3 Government & Legal Authorities

• Japan Customs (税関) — for vehicle export declarations
• Japan Land Transport Bureau (陸運局) — for vehicle registration and ownership transfer
• Japanese tax and financial authorities — for legal compliance and reporting
• Law enforcement or courts — if required by valid legal order

4.4 Communication Platforms

We communicate with customers through the following platforms, each with their own privacy policies:

• WhatsApp & Facebook & Instagram (Meta Inc.)
• LINE (LY Corporation)
• TikTok (ByteDance Ltd.)
• YouTube & Gmail (Google LLC)

5. International Customers & Cross-Border Data Transfer

As a worldwide vehicle exporter, your personal data may be transferred outside Japan to freight forwarders, customs authorities, and inspection bodies in your destination country to complete your shipment. We ensure such transfers are handled with care and only to parties that require the information to complete your transaction.

6. How Long We Keep Your Information

• Transaction and vehicle records — minimum 7 years (Japanese accounting and tax law)
• Export and customs documentation — up to 10 years
• AML identity verification records — as required by Japanese financial regulations
• Marketing and communication data — until you withdraw consent or request deletion
• Website usage and cookie data — up to 12 months

7. Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information

• Right to Access — Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Right to Correction — Request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to Deletion — Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention obligations
• Right to Withdraw Consent — Withdraw consent to marketing communications at any time
• Right to Object — Object to certain uses of your personal data where applicable

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at ym@yamaguchimotorsltdofficial.com or call +81 90-8051-1888.

8. Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and display relevant vehicle listings. You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Secure payment processing via Stripe (PCI-DSS compliant)
• Encrypted email and secure communication channels where possible
• Limited internal access to customer data on a need-to-know basis
• Secure storage of physical documents (contracts, passports, vehicle papers)

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for adults aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has submitted personal information to us, please contact us immediately.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites including auction platforms, shipping companies, and social media pages. This Privacy Policy applies only to our website and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any external websites.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued use of our website or services after any update means you accept the revised policy.

13. Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by the laws of Japan, including the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (個人情報の保護に関する法律 / APPI). Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Japan.

14. Contact Us — Privacy Inquiries

For any questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us: