Copyright and Disclaimer
1. Using the Content on the Website
Any person may freely use the information made available on the Website (“Content”) by copying, publically transmitting, or adapting by translating or modifying it, in accordance with the following terms of use 1) to 6). Commercial use is also permitted. Use of Content constitutes agreement by the user with these terms of use.
1）Source citation
a) Users must cite the source when using the Content. Below are possible formats for citing the source.
Examples of source citation
Source: (URL of relevant page), Minamata Disease Archives, Ministry of the Environment
Source: [Title of study], (Minamata Disease Archives, Ministry of the Environment), (URL of relevant page), (Accessed on [date])
b) If editing Content for use, indicate that the Content has been edited, as well as citing the source. It is prohibited to make public or to use edited information in a format that may misconstrue that the State (or a Ministry) had created the information.
(Examples of citation if editing Content before use)
Based on [title of report], (Minamata Disease Archives, Ministry of the Environment), (URL of relevant page)
Written by [name of company, etc.] and based on [title of study], (Minamata Disease Archives, Ministry of the Environment), (URL of relevant page)
2) No infringement of third party rights
a) Copyright or other rights over some Content may be held by a third party (This means a third party other than the State. Same below.) Any person using Content over which a third party holds copyright, or Content over which a third party holds rights other than copyright (e.g. publicity rights or image rights over a photograph) should, under their own responsibility, obtain consent for use from such third party, unless there is clear indication that the rights have already been cleared.
b) For some of the Content over which a third party holds rights, and depending on the format of source citations, the fact that a third party holds rights may be shown or suggested either directly or indirectly, however, some Content may not be clearly identified or labeled as being Content over which a third party holds rights. If such Content is to be used, it is the user’s responsible to check.
c) Even if a third party holds copyright over certain Content, in some cases such Content may be used without the copyright holder’s agreement, for example, quotations permitted under the Copyright Act.
3) Prohibited use
a) The following Content usages are prohibited.
(i) Usage that contravenes laws, statutes, ordinances or public order and morals
(ii) Usage that threatens the safety of the state or its citizens
4) Governing laws and agreed jurisdiction
a) These terms of use are to be interpreted in accordance with the laws of Japan.
b) The agreed court of first instance with exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute relating to these terms of use, or to use of Content under these terms of use, will be the district court having jurisdiction over the location of the organization that makes public the Content or terms of use involved in such dispute.
5) Disclaimer
a) The State bears no responsibility whatsoever for any action taken by a user involving the use of Content (including the use of information whose Content has been edited or processed).
b) Content may be changed, moved or deleted without prior notice.
6) Other
a) These terms of use do not limit use of quotations, etc. permissible under the Copyright Act.
b) These terms of use were established on December 9, 2014. These terms of use are based on Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use (Version 1.0). These terms of use may be changed in the future. Review of these terms of use will be considered in 2015
Links
1．Links from the Minamata Disease Archives
The content on third party websites linked from the Minamata Disease Archives Website is controlled under the responsibility of those various third parties. The Institute bears no responsibility whatsoever for any content on third party websites or for any damages arising from use of those websites. A link does not mean that there is any affiliation or special relationship between the Institute and the body whose website is linked. In the event that a user uses such a website, it may be necessary to agree to the terms of use listed on that website. Caution is advised.
2．Links to the Minamata Disease Archives
Linking to the Minamata Disease Archives Website is in principle free. However, the following points should be noted (While it is not necessary to obtain permission for a link, please send an email to
E-mail: 
（1）Please note that the Minamata Disease Archives bears no responsibility whatsoever for damages arising from links to the Website.
（2）Please note that the Website address and content may be changed or deleted without prior notice.
(Because addresses may be changed and deleted without notice, as a rule, please put links to the Website on your home page.)
（3）Please clearly indicate that the link is to the Minamata Disease Archives Website.
（4）Ensure that the Minamata Disease Archives Website is not mistaken for a part of your website. Ensure that settings are such that a new window opens with the link. (To ensure that website viewers are not confused, indicate that “Clicking on the link will open a new window” or indicate as such in another manner.)
（5）The Institute may refuse a link from any website that is not in keeping with the purpose of the Institute’s website, including a website that slanders or libels either a third party or the Institute, a website that contravenes public order and morals or any other website that contravenes laws, statutes, or ordinances.
Contact
If you have any comments or questions about the Minamata Disease Archives website, please send an email to
E-mail:
Other
Please note that the Minamata Disease Archives website content may be changed or deleted without prior notice.