Accessibility Statement for Japan Startup Navigator

Our Commitment to Accessibility

At Japan Startup Navigator, we are committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide a user-friendly experience that is inclusive and equitable. We are continuously working to improve the accessibility of our website and conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

We believe that digital accessibility is not just a legal requirement but also a moral imperative. By making our website accessible, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access information about the vibrant startup ecosystem in Japan, connect with resources, and participate in our community.

Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Japan Startup Navigator is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Our accessibility efforts include:

Providing alternative text for all images and non-text content.
Ensuring sufficient color contrast between text and background.
Using clear and consistent navigation.
Structuring content with headings and landmarks.
Making our website keyboard navigable.
Providing captions and transcripts for videos and audio content (where applicable).
Ensuring forms are accessible and easy to use.

Specific Accessibility Features

To ensure a positive experience for all users, we have implemented the following accessibility features:

Semantic HTML: We use semantic HTML5 elements to structure our content, making it easier for assistive technologies to understand the purpose of each element.
ARIA Attributes: We use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to enhance the accessibility of dynamic content and interactive elements.
Keyboard Navigation: Our website is fully keyboard navigable, allowing users to access all content and functionality using only a keyboard.
Screen Reader Compatibility: We have tested our website with popular screen readers to ensure compatibility and provide a smooth experience for users who rely on these tools.
Consistent Navigation: We maintain a consistent navigation structure throughout our website, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
Clear and Concise Language: We use clear and concise language to ensure that our content is easy to understand for everyone.

Adjusting Contrast

Users can adjust the contrast of our website to improve readability. Most modern operating systems and browsers offer built-in tools for adjusting contrast. Here's how to adjust contrast on some popular platforms:

Windows: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > High contrast.
macOS: Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Contrast.
Chrome: Install a contrast adjustment extension from the Chrome Web Store, such as "High Contrast."
Firefox: Use the built-in "Reader View" for improved contrast or install an add-on like "NoSquint Plus."

Adjusting contrast can significantly improve the readability of text, especially for users with low vision or color blindness.

Adjusting Text Size

You can easily adjust the text size on our website to suit your reading preferences. Most browsers offer built-in zoom and text size adjustment features. Here's how to adjust text size in some popular browsers:

Chrome: Go to Settings > Appearance > Font size. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + "+" (increase text size) and Ctrl + "-" (decrease text size). On a Mac, use Cmd + "+" and Cmd + "-".
Firefox: Go to Options > General > Language and Appearance > Fonts & Colors > Size. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + "+" and Ctrl + "-" (Cmd + "+" and Cmd + "-" on Mac).
Safari: Go to View > Zoom In or Zoom Out. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Cmd + "+" and Cmd + "-".
Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings and more > Settings > Appearance > Font size. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + "+" and Ctrl + "-" (Cmd + "+" and Cmd + "-" on Mac).

Increasing the text size can make it easier to read content, especially for users with visual impairments.

Keyboard Navigation

Our website is designed to be fully navigable using a keyboard. You can use the following keys to navigate our website:

Tab: Moves focus to the next interactive element (links, form fields, buttons).
Shift + Tab: Moves focus to the previous interactive element.
Enter: Activates the currently focused element.
Arrow Keys: Used to navigate within certain elements, such as menus and lists.
Spacebar: Scrolls down the page.
Home: Scrolls to the top of the page.
End: Scrolls to the bottom of the page.

Using keyboard navigation can be helpful for users who have difficulty using a mouse or other pointing device.

Alternative Text for Images

All images on our website include descriptive alternative text (alt text) that provides a textual description of the image. This allows users who are unable to see the image to understand its content and purpose. We strive to provide alt text that is accurate, concise, and informative.

For example, an image of "A smiling team of AiCare startup founders in their Tokyo office" has the alt text: "Team photo of AiCare startup founders smiling in their Tokyo office." This description ensures that users with visual impairments can understand the context of the image.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our website. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us at:

Email: accessibility@koomiu.com
Phone: +81 03-3611-2968
Address: 2 Chome-58-1 Yahiro, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0041

We will do our best to respond to your feedback in a timely manner and take appropriate action to address any accessibility issues.

Formal complaints procedure

If you have a formal complaint regarding the accessibility of Japan Startup Navigator, please send a detailed email to complaints@koomiu.com with the subject line "Accessibility Complaint." Include the following information:

Your name and contact information
The specific web page or feature you are complaining about
A clear description of the accessibility issue you encountered
Any suggestions for how we can resolve the issue

Our Accessibility Officer, Ms. Aiko Tanaka, will investigate your complaint and respond to you within 10 business days. We are committed to finding a resolution that meets your needs and improves the accessibility of our website for all users.

Assessment approach

Japan Startup Navigator assessed the accessibility of this website using the following approach:

Self-evaluation: We regularly review and evaluate our website to ensure it conforms to WCAG guidelines.
External audits: We commission third-party accessibility audits to provide an objective assessment of our website's accessibility.
User testing: We conduct user testing with individuals with disabilities to gather feedback on the usability and accessibility of our website.

Technical specifications

Accessibility of Japan Startup Navigator relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

Limitations and alternatives

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of Japan Startup Navigator , there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations, and potential solutions.

Older PDF documents: Some older PDF documents on our site may not be fully accessible. We are working to replace or remediate these documents as quickly as possible. In the meantime, if you require an accessible version of a specific PDF, please contact us.
Third-party integrations: We use third-party integrations for certain functionalities, such as embedded maps and social media feeds. While we make every effort to choose integrations that are accessible, we cannot guarantee their full compliance with WCAG guidelines. We regularly monitor these integrations and seek accessible alternatives whenever possible.