Liftmate Terms of Service

Effective: July 12, 2026　｜　Last revised: July 30, 2026　｜　日本語

This English text is a reference translation. The Japanese version of these Terms is the authoritative text. If there is any discrepancy between the two, the Japanese version prevails. Note also that the Liftmate app interface is currently available in Japanese only.

These Terms of Service (the "Terms") set out the conditions for using "Liftmate" (the "Service"), a community app for skiers and snowboarders provided by the Liftmate Office (operator: Wataru Taniguchi, the "Operator"). Users of the Service (each a "User") must agree to these Terms before using the Service.

Article 1 (Nature of the Service)

  1. The Service provides a place for users who enjoy skiing and snowboarding to interact with one another, find companions, and match for carpooling (ridesharing).
  2. The Service is not a transportation service. Carpooling is a mutual-aid arrangement based on agreement between Users, and the Operator is not a party to any transportation contract or ride agreement.
  3. Any exchange of money in connection with carpooling is strictly limited to sharing actual costs among participants, such as fuel and expressway tolls.

Article 2 (Accounts)

  1. An account is required to use the Service.
  2. The Service is available only to persons 18 years of age or older.
  3. Each person may hold only one account. Accounts may not be transferred, lent, or sold.
  4. Users must register accurate information (including profile information).

Article 3 (Prohibited Conduct)

Users must not engage in any of the following in connection with the Service:

  1. Providing transportation for compensation exceeding the sharing of actual costs (such as fuel and expressway tolls) — that is, unlicensed paid transportation in violation of Japan's Road Transportation Act (so-called "shiro-taku") — or soliciting or advertising such transportation
  2. Improperly demanding or inducing monetary transactions outside the Service (such as cash handovers or external money-transfer services)
  3. Harassment, threats, stalking, discriminatory speech, or other harassing conduct toward other Users
  4. Fraud, theft, or any other criminal act, or conduct that risks becoming one
  5. Solicitation for religious or political organizations, multi-level marketing schemes, or similar
  6. Registering false profile information or impersonating another person
  7. Using the Service as a dating service, or any other use that substantially departs from the purpose of the Service (ski and snowboard community and carpooling)
  8. Collecting or publishing another User's personal information without that person's consent
  9. Infringing the intellectual property, privacy, reputation, or other rights of the Operator or any third party
  10. Interfering with the operation of the Service (including unauthorized access, scraping, or creating multiple accounts)
  11. Violating laws, regulations, or public order and morals
  12. Any other conduct the Operator deems inappropriate

Objectionable content and abusive users are not tolerated. The Operator reviews reported content promptly (as a rule within 24 hours) and, where a violation is found, removes the content and takes measures against the User concerned, including suspension or termination of the account.

Article 4 (Carpooling: Cautions and Personal Responsibility)

  1. Users participate in and organize carpools at their own discretion and responsibility.
  2. The Operator bears no responsibility whatsoever for accidents, disputes, or damages arising during a carpool (including traffic accidents, damage to or loss of belongings, and monetary disputes). Such matters are to be resolved between the parties concerned.
  3. Users who provide a vehicle (drivers) are responsible for holding a valid driver's license, maintaining automobile insurance (voluntary insurance is strongly recommended), keeping the vehicle properly maintained, and otherwise preparing for safe driving.
  4. Winter road driving carries inherent risks. Avoid overly demanding travel plans and pay close attention to weather and road-surface conditions.

Article 5 (Handling and Monitoring of Messages)

  1. The Operator does not read messages between Users in the ordinary course.
  2. The Operator may review messages and other posted content, to the extent necessary, only in the following cases:
    • Where a report has been received from another User and it is necessary to investigate whether prohibited conduct has occurred
    • Where disclosure is requested under applicable law
    • Where automated detection (such as prohibited-word detection) flags a suspected violation
  3. Any such review is conducted with due regard for the secrecy of communications and privacy, and is limited to the minimum extent necessary to achieve its purpose.

Article 6 (Measures Against Violations)

  1. The Service places importance on maintaining a trustworthy community that Users can rely on. Where conduct that troubles or endangers other Users, or a serious breach of etiquette, is confirmed (including malicious last-minute cancellations, no-shows, harassment, and registration of false information), the Operator may take measures without prior notice, including immediate suspension or deletion of the account (forced withdrawal).
  2. Where a User violates these Terms or is likely to do so, the Operator may take the following measures without prior notice:
    • Deletion or hiding of posts, ride listings, or messages
    • Warnings
    • Suspension or deletion of the account (forced withdrawal)
  3. The Operator bears no responsibility for damages incurred by a User as a result of such measures.

Article 7 (Rights in Posted Content)

  1. Copyright in content posted to the Service by a User (photographs, text, and the like) belongs to the User who posted it.
  2. Users grant the Operator a royalty-free right to use posted content (including reproduction, display, and adaptation) to the extent necessary for providing, operating, improving, and promoting the Service.

Article 8 (Changes to, Suspension of, and Termination of the Service)

  1. The Operator may change the content of the Service, or suspend or terminate its provision, without prior notice.
  2. The Operator bears no responsibility for damages incurred by Users as a result.

Article 9 (Disclaimer)

  1. The Operator does not warrant that the Service is free from defects in fact or in law (including as to safety, reliability, accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose).
  2. Even where the Operator bears liability for damages in connection with the Service, such liability is capped at 10,000 yen, except in cases of the Operator's willful misconduct or gross negligence.
  3. Disputes arising between Users, or between a User and a third party, are to be resolved between the parties concerned, and the Operator is under no obligation to become involved.

Article 10 (Exclusion of Anti-Social Forces)

Users represent and warrant that they are not members of organized crime groups (boryokudan), organized crime group members, or other anti-social forces, and that they have no relationship with such persons or groups.

Article 11 (Changes to These Terms)

  1. The Operator may amend these Terms where it deems necessary.
  2. Where a material change is made, it will be announced by appropriate means, such as an in-app notice. Continued use of the Service after such a change is deemed acceptance of the amended Terms.

Article 12 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction)

  1. These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.
  2. In the event of a dispute concerning the Service, the district court having jurisdiction over the location of the Operator shall be the exclusive court of first instance by agreement.