Troubleshooting

Regarding the lowering of the age of majority (to prevent consumer problems)

The "Act to Amend Part of the Civil Code," which lowers the age of majority to 18, came into effect on April 1, 2022.

As of April 1, 2022, individuals aged 18 to under 20 (those born between April 2, 2002 and April 1, 2004) will reach adulthood on that day. Individuals born on or after April 2, 2004 will reach adulthood on their 18th birthday.

Upon reaching adulthood, you will be able to enter into various contracts of your own free will without parental consent. Please carefully review the following information regarding what will and will not change as a result of the lowering of the age of majority.

Once you reach adulthood, you can enter into contracts on your own without parental consent, but you will no longer be able to exercise the right to cancel a contract as a minor. In other words, you are the one who decides whether or not to enter into a contract, and you are also the one who is responsible for that contract.

Contracts have various rules, and if you enter into one carelessly without knowing them, you may get into trouble. There are unscrupulous businesses that target adults who have little social experience and have just lost their protection. Some students at our university have been victims, and in some cases, it has had a significant impact on their student life, so it is very important to be careful.

To avoid such consumer troubles, it is important to learn about contracts, understand various rules, and develop the ability to carefully consider whether a contract is necessary. The Consumer Affairs Agency's special page for "18 Years Old and Adults" introduces relevant information to help you act as an adult from the age of 18. In particular, for minors and those who have just reached adulthood, we recommend educational materials such as "The Door to Society" to help you acquire the skills to live as an adult in society. In addition, the Consumer Hotline "188 (Iya-ya)!" has been established as a consultation service for when you are involved in consumer troubles or encounter difficulties. Please consult them when you are in trouble or when you think something is wrong.

Related Links

• Government Public Relations Online: From 18 to "Adult"! What will change and what will remain the same with the lowering of the age of majority.
• Consumer Affairs Agency: Special page for "18 Years Old and Adult"
• Consumer Affairs Agency: Student teaching materials "Doorway to Society - Learning about independent consumers through 12 quizzes"
• Consumer Affairs Agency: Consumer Hotline "188 (Iya-ya)!"

Precautions when using SNS (Social Networking Services)

Unintentional actions or statements posted online can sometimes become social problems as they violate public order and morals.

We sometimes receive complaints regarding student communications and other issues of this nature. It is truly regrettable that the thoughtless actions of a few students can tarnish the reputation of our university and cause trouble for the many students who lead responsible student lives.

When using social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LINE, etc.), please comply with the law, be careful not to act or speak carelessly, and help build a healthy community.

Furthermore, Tohoku Gakuin has established the "Tohoku Gakuin Social Networking Service Usage Guidelines" to ensure that all institutions, departments, and members (faculty, staff, students, etc.) belonging to Tohoku Gakuin use and fully utilize social networking services appropriately.

When using social media, please be sure to follow the guidelines.

Tohoku Gakuin Social Media Usage Guidelines

Please keep the following points in mind when using social media.

Notes on posting

Because information can be accessed by a large number of users, it is impossible to completely delete information once it has been posted. Even if the poster deletes it, it may still remain on the internet and can be searched for. Therefore, it is necessary to be extra careful when posting. Furthermore, the idea that deleting something solves the problem is a big mistake.

Confidentiality and confidentiality

While various activities may involve visiting off-campus facilities, taking photos or videos without permission and posting them online can lead to issues such as information leaks and invasion of privacy.

Self-awareness and responsibility

It's a mistake to think you won't be identified if you use anonymity or a pseudonym. It's easy to pinpoint your origin based on the device you're using. Absolutely refrain from making unnecessary posts.

Respect for others

Posting defamatory comments about others may constitute a violation of human rights and libel. Please be sure to be considerate of others.
Careful consideration is needed when tagging friends in photos. Posting photos on social media can infringe on a friend's privacy or expose the private lives of others. When posting on social media, it is necessary to obtain permission from the friends in the image or to take measures to ensure that individuals are not identifiable.

Privacy protection

When registering or disclosing personal information, please ensure you fully understand the content of the social networking service you are using.
Social media makes it easy to identify individuals and collect personal information.
Your profile picture can be used to identify your face, and your location can be confirmed through check-in features and image uploads from mobile phones and smartphones. When taking photos, be sure to turn off your GPS function and be careful not to carelessly post information about your home area or where you frequent.

Precautions regarding drugs

The abuse of prohibited substances such as marijuana and stimulants has detrimental effects on both mental and physical health, and can even lead to the breakdown of friendships and family relationships, causing immeasurable harm not only to the individual but also to society as a whole.

Furthermore, the recent occurrence of incidents and deaths believed to be caused by the abuse of dangerous drugs known as "designer drugs," "legal herbs," or "legal drugs" is an extremely worrying situation.

The handling of these items is prohibited or restricted by law, and any violations will be severely punished, and the university will also take strict action.

We strongly urge all students to exercise caution and avoid casually engaging with prohibited drugs out of mere curiosity or a fleeting interest. We also urge them to always be mindful of their responsibilities as students of this university and to act responsibly.

Illegal drugs are extremely dangerous and can cause respiratory difficulties or even death. They can also lead to abnormal behavior and harm to others.

Don't be fooled by terms like "legal herbs." Even if they're labeled "legal," understand that they are substances that are just as dangerous, or even more dangerous, than narcotics and stimulants.

Say NO to illegal drugs, say YES to our precious future (PDF: 3MB)

Be cautious of solicitations from various organizations both inside and outside the university.

In recent years, problems have arisen involving religious and political groups, and some students have become so engrossed in religious and political activities that they abandon their studies.

They approach people on and off campus with smooth talk, extract personal information, and persistently try to recruit them.

If the organization does not disclose its activities or purpose, do not answer any questions from them.

If you provide your personal information, you may be forced to join, put in a dangerous situation, or find yourself unable to continue your studies.

If you receive or hear about any of these solicitations on or off campus, please contact the Student Affairs Office immediately.

Beware of fraudulent business practices.

Contract troubles involving students are on the rise year after year. Offers that promise easy access to expensive goods, large sums of money without effort, or loans using only a student ID are tempting, but they almost always have hidden pitfalls. Please be cautious and avoid rushing into any such arrangements.

If you encounter any problems, please contact the Student Affairs Office immediately.

Beware of illegal part-time jobs.

Recently, there have been reports of young people, including university students, applying for so-called "illegal part-time jobs" through social media and other means, becoming involved in crimes such as robbery and special fraud, and being arrested.

In light of these incidents, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has issued a warning to people not to participate in crimes as a part-time job.

Please refer to the website below and take care to ensure that all students of this university do not get involved in such incidents.

• Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Collection of Internet Trouble Cases (Involvement in Crimes Caused by Job Recruitment)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Special website for preventing special fraud

When renewing a rental property contract

Students living alone may reach the time when their lease agreements for rental apartments and other properties are up for renewal (usually every one to two years). Please keep the following points in mind to ensure a smooth lease renewal process.

① Regarding contract renewal and changes to rent terms

• When renewing a lease agreement, the amount of rent and the terms of the renewal fee may change from what they were previously.
• Please be sure to check the contents of the contract and the amounts and conditions presented in renewal documents from the owner or management company.
• The rules for renewal vary depending on the type of contract. In particular, please note that "fixed-term lease agreements" generally do not have renewal options, and may be treated as a new contract after the term expires.

② Regarding rent increases and changes to terms and conditions

• While rent increases do occur, it is generally the case that tenants are notified in writing beforehand, although this varies depending on the contract and the management company's policies.
• If you have concerns or disagreements about the proposed rent increase or other contract terms, consult with the owner or management company and ask for an explanation. It may be possible to negotiate the terms through discussion.
• If the contents of the renewal documents or notices are unclear, it is important to request a written explanation.
• If negotiations are difficult or you have legal concerns about the contract terms, please do not hesitate to contact the Miyagi Prefectural Consumer Affairs Center or the Student Affairs Office.

③ Preparations before contract renewal

• The timing of contract renewal notices varies depending on the contract details and the management company's procedures, but they are usually sent one to two months before the contract expires. When you receive the notice, first carefully review its contents, and if you have any concerns, consult with the management company as soon as possible.

Consultation service

University Student Affairs Division

• 土樋キャンパス学生係：022-264-6471
• 五橋キャンパス学生係：022-354-8220

Public institutions

• 仙台市消費生活センター：022-268-7867
• 宮城県消費生活センター：022-261-5161
• 宮城県警察本部／環境犯罪・悪質商法相談電話：022-261-1110