Terms and Conditions for Assistor Maki Interpreting Services

Please review the following terms before requesting service.
For service details, see the About page.

1. Nature of Service

This service is provided through consecutive interpreting.
The interpreter listens to the speaker, takes notes as needed, and delivers the message in the other language after the speaker pauses.

2. No Written Deliverables

This service does not include the creation or delivery of:

• written notes
• memos
• reports
• transcripts

Any written record if required must be prepared by the client.

3. Use of Clear, Practical Language

To ensure smooth and practical communication, idioms, proverbs, clichés, and overly figurative expressions will be minimized unless required for accuracy.

4. How to Request Service

After reviewing these Conditions and Rates, please submit the Contact for Service form.
This allows Assistor Maki to check availability.
Submitting the form does not guarantee a reply.

5. On-Site Service and Engaged-Time Basis

For in-person interpreting, fees are calculated based on engaged time, which includes:

• travel time from the interpreter’s office to the client location
• travel time returning from the location

6. Travel Time Estimate

Before accepting a request, Assistor Maki will inform the client of the approximate Travel Time required to reach the location.

7. Start and End Times (On-Site)

• Service start time:
  When the interpreter leaves the office, or
  Meeting time minus Travel Time
• Service end time:
  When interpreting ends plus Travel Time

8. Start and End Times (Online)

For internet-based interpreting:

• Start time: When the client agrees to begin
• End time: When the client agrees to end

9. Acceptance or Decline of Request

After receiving the Contact form, Assistor Maki will respond by email or phone to:

• Accept the request (with start/end times including Travel Time), or
• Decline the request

There is no obligation to respond to all inquiries.

10. Customer Acceptance

If the client agrees to the proposed schedule and estimated fee (“Customer Acceptance”), the service officially begins at the start of Travel Time.

11. Payment

Payment is requested at the end of the service, in cash or by other mutually agreed methods.

12. Cancellation Policy

If the client cancels after Customer Acceptance, a cancellation fee will apply (see table below).

13. Early-Termination Clause (Mutual Right to Cancel Within First 5 Minutes)

Either the Client or Assistor Maki may terminate the interpreting service within the first five (5) minutes from the official start time without any fees or penalties, if:

• Client’s verbalization, pronunciation, or speech characteristics are excessively difficult to understand, or
• effective communication cannot reasonably be achieved.

If the service is terminated under this clause, no interpreting fee will be charged.
However, if Assistor Maki is physically present at the client’s location, the Client shall remain responsible for the Travel Charge as specified in the Rates table.

Rates (Tax Included)

Rates (include consumption tax)	Amount (Japanese Yen)
Interpreting Service	JPY8,000 per hour
Travel Charge per 1 km; round-trip	JPY1,000
Cancellation after Acceptance	JPY4,500

For more details, please also see the About page.