FAQ
【General Q&A】
What is Kimiyacast, and what is its mission?
Kimiyacast is a website that provides online education and other related services, mainly focusing on the fields of humanities and social sciences, as well as studies on Japan and "Medient." Kimiyacast also offers products such as books, films, and music related to these fields.
Kimiyacast is owned by Kimiya Ltd. and the primary purpose of this site is to make learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
***Note: The term 'Medient' (Japanese: 中洋), said to have been coined by Hajime Kobayashi and Isamu Sugi before World War II, was taken up by Hisao Matsuda after the war and later redefined by Tadao Umesao in the 1970s. Geographically, it includes India, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Kimiyacast actively conducts studies in Japan and these regions, hence the intentional use of the term "Medient".
What is the meaning behind the name Kimiyacast?
"Kimiya" is a word that has been widely used for a long time in languages such as Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Malay. Fundamentally, it means "to make perfect all flaws and imperfections."
Similarly, education too is about overcoming one’s shortcomings and enhancing knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, when read separately in Japanese, 'Kimi' (君) means 'you,' and 'Ya' (屋) refers to 'house, building, profession, expert,' etc.
"Kimiyacast" is a compound word combining "Kimiya" with "cast," which carries the meaning of 'to throw' or 'to release.' It conveys the idea of 'providing a wide range of learning opportunities.'
*For more details on the meaning of Kimiya, please click here."
Why did Kimiyacast choose these fields of education, culture, and humanities?
In the modern era, with the rapid development of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, the world is becoming smaller, intertwining different cultures, knowledge, and skills. While advanced technology brings many benefits to our daily lives, it can also cause cultural or social issues. Therefore, Kimiyacast chose the humanities to contribute, even slightly, to coexistence and progress among different cultures through knowledge and education.
What policies and approaches does Kimiyacast adopt towards achieving its educational goals?
The main goal of Kimiyacast is to make learning easy and enjoyable for everyone. To achieve this, Kimiyacast employs the following four methods:
- Offering on-demand courses.
- Providing live courses.
- Supplying books, documentary films, music, etc.
- Organizing events and seminars.
How can I use Kimiyacast?
Kimiyacast offers two types of services: free and paid. To use the paid services, you first need to register on the site and create an account. However, to use the free services, creating an account is not necessary.
What should I do if I forget my password?
There is a password reset option on the login screen. You can use this to reset your password.
How can I pay for purchases on Kimiyacast?
Payment for purchases can only be made by credit card or bank transfer. For credit card payments, we use the secure and reliable payment system “Stripe”. For more information about Stripe, please click here.
Are there any additional costs besides the purchase price?
There are no additional payment costs, but if you choose bank transfer, the bank handling charges are borne by the buyer. For more details on payments, please click here.
Can payments only be made in Japanese Yen?
At Kimiyacast, all payments can be made in Japanese Yen and U.S. Dollars. The U.S. Dollar payment service is provided to facilitate price quotations for users outside Japan. However, due to fluctuations in exchange rates, there may be differences between the displayed price and the actual price, so caution is necessary. For more details, please refer to Article 2-9 of the Terms of Use.
What languages are available for contacting the Kimiya office?
Currently, inquiries to the Kimiya office are accepted in Japanese or English via the Contact Us page. However, Kimiyacast does not respond to irrelevant content, unclear messages, insulting content, messages containing advertising, or questions requesting personal information. We ask for your understanding and cooperation.
【Registration and Cancellation of On-Demand Courses】
What is an on-demand course?
The on-demand courses at Kimiyacast consist of audio, video, and text materials, allowing users to learn at their own pace without worrying about time. These courses are in lecture format, so there is no direct communication between instructors and users. For the terms and conditions of on-demand courses, please click here.
What should I do if I want to ask a question to an instructor?
Currently, we do not offer a service for users to directly ask questions to instructors. However, if you have important questions or consultations, you can send inquiries or messages to the Kimiya office through Contact Us. The office will communicate with the instructor and contact the user after receiving a response from the instructor.
Are the on-demand courses only available in audio format? Or are there also video files?
Currently, the on-demand courses are provided only in audio format. However, offering courses in video and other formats is planned for the future.
Are new on-demand courses added regularly?
Currently, there is no specific schedule, but notifications are sent through the Kimiyacast website, social media, and email whenever new courses are added to Kimiyacast.
How long are on-demand courses available?
All on-demand courses are available for three years after they are published. However, popular courses, or those Kimiyacast deems useful, may be extended.
How can I find detailed information about on-demand courses?
Detailed descriptions and catalogs for each course can be viewed on their respective pages, where you can check the content of the course. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Kimiya office through Contact Us.
How many audio files are included in one on-demand course? And how long are these files?
The number of audio files varies for each on-demand course. The details and catalogs of each course include the number of audio files (MP3). The length of each audio file also varies, but is usually set not to exceed 45 minutes.
In what languages are the on-demand courses offered?
Currently, on-demand courses are only offered in English and Japanese. However, in special cases, courses may be offered in other languages.
Are on-demand courses available for free?
Currently, on-demand courses are not offered for free. However, free and useful content may be provided on the blog and Kimiyacast's social media.
How can I access the on-demand courses?
To use the on-demand courses, you first need to register on the site and create an account. Then, you can select the course you want, make the payment, and start learning.
How much do the on-demand courses cost?
The price varies based on the content, the number of files, and the total duration of each course. For the prices of each course, please see the detailed descriptions and catalogs.
Are there discounts available for on-demand courses?
Yes. Kimiyacast occasionally offers limited-time discount campaigns for on-demand courses.
Can I cancel my registration and get a refund?
Yes, requests for cancellations and refunds are accepted for on-demand courses. However, this is only possible if the conditions stipulated in Kimiyacast's regulations are met. For the conditions on cancellations and refunds, please refer to here.
Is it possible to provide on-demand courses on Kimiyacast?
Yes, it is possible. Those who wish to offer courses related to the fields of activity of Kimiyacast can apply to the Kimiya office through the page, Join Us. Kimiyacast conducts the necessary reviews and informs the applicant about the possibility of cooperation.
【Q&A about Registration and Payment for Live Courses】
What is a live course?
Kimiyacast's live courses include sessions conducted between instructors and users at predetermined dates and times via a web conferencing service (Google Meet, Zoom, and etc.). These classes mainly adopt a practical, skill-up style (e.g., language education classes) and allow students to communicate directly with instructors.
Are live courses conducted in group or private formats?
Kimiyacast offers live courses in both group and private formats. Group classes have an application period and are conducted if the capacity is reached by the end of the period. On the other hand, private classes have no application period, and interested individuals can apply for any available course at any time.
How often are live courses conducted?
Currently, there is no specific schedule, but notifications are sent through Kimiyacast's website, social media, and email whenever new courses are added.
How can I find out about the content of live courses?
Detailed descriptions and catalogs for each course can be viewed on their respective pages, where you can learn about the course content. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Kimiya office through Contact Us.
How many students participate in group classes?
The number of students in each course varies depending on the theme and educational content of the course. However, in practical, skill-focused language education courses, the number of students is limited to ensure effective instruction. The number of students for each course is determined by Kimiyacast.
How many sessions are there in a class, and are they conducted on holidays?
The number of sessions varies by course, and the number of classes is specified in the detailed description and catalog of each course. Group classes are generally not conducted on Sundays or public holidays, but private classes can be conducted if there is an agreement between the instructor and the student.
Are live courses intended for residents of Japan, or can people from other countries participate as well?
Currently, the schedule for live courses is based on Japan Standard Time. However, participants living in other countries can join if they can adjust their schedule to fit the course schedule.
Is it possible to conduct live courses for corporations or government agencies?
Yes, it is possible. We implement live courses based on mutual agreement after receiving a request and conducting discussions and considerations.
How do I apply for a live course?
To apply for a live course, you first need to register on the site and create an account. Then, select the desired course and proceed with the application process.
Is there a possibility that group classes will not be held?
Yes. Group classes may have a minimum number of participants required for the class to be held. Therefore, Kimiyacast does not collect fees from applicants until the class is confirmed. During the application, the checkout price in the cart will be displayed as "0". After the application period for each course ends, Kimiyacast will notify applicants about whether the course will be conducted. If the course is held, Kimiyacast will send payment information to the applicant's email. For more details, please click here.
How much do live courses cost?
The price of each course varies depending on whether it is a group or private class, and also on the number of classes. Please see the detailed description and catalog for each course.
Are there discounts available for live courses?
Yes. There are several discounts available for each course. For more details, please see the detailed description and catalog for each course.
Is it possible to cancel and get a refund after registration?
Yes, cancellations by applicants are possible after registration and payment. However, this is only possible if the conditions stipulated in Kimiyacast's regulations are met. For the conditions on cancellations and refunds, please refer to here.
Is there any special support for missing a class?
Currently, there is no special support for absences in group classes. However, in private classes, it is possible to change the schedule up to three times. However, after the third rescheduling, missed classes will be considered as cancelled. For more details, please refer to here.
Is it possible to cooperate with Kimiyacast and conduct live courses?
Yes, it is possible. Those who wish to conduct courses related to the fields of activity of Kimiyacast can apply to the Kimiya office through the page, Join Us. Kimiyacast conducts the necessary reviews and informs the applicant about the possibility of cooperation and conducting courses.
【Q&A about Kimiyacast's Shop】
What types of products are sold in the Shop?
Products in the Shop are divided into two categories: 'Soft products' and 'Hard products'. Soft products include items that can only be used online (not downloadable and only usable within the Kimiyacast site) and downloadable items (usable on devices like computers and mobiles). Hard products are physical products, and Kimiyacast mails these products to users who purchase them.
What kind of products are sold in the Shop?
The products are mainly categorized into four types: books, movies and videos, graphic art, and music.
Does the Shop sell used items?
The Shop does not handle used items, but Kimiya Ltd. sells used items on platforms like Amazon and Mercari Shops.
How can I cancel a purchase made in the Shop?
Cancellations of Soft products purchases are not allowed in principle. For cancellations of Hard products purchases, please check here.
【Q&A about Events and Seminars】
What kind of events and seminars does Kimiyacast hold?
Kimiyacast holds online or in-person events and seminars, both free and paid, in line with its policies and objectives.
Can I cancel my registration for events and seminars?
Cancellation of events and seminars is possible, but in principle, the paid participation fees are non-refundable. For details on event cancellations, please see here.