TOKYO, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kouji Eguchi; NASDAQ: MRM, MEDIROM or the “Company”), announces that the cumulative number of Proof of Human authentications using the World ID authentication device ‘Orb’ at stores centered on the relaxation salon “Re.Ra.Ku,” operated by its subsidiary MEDIROM Wellness Co., surpassed 20,000 as of December 28, 2025. The Company participates in World (a Proof of Human authentication protocol), ...

Core Viewpoint - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. is collaborating with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to implement Proof of Human technologies, such as World ID, across Japan, aiming to enhance trust in digital interactions and create new revenue streams [2][3][4]. Group 1: Collaboration and Agreements - MEDIROM has signed a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to manage Proof of Human verification locations in Japan, which is expected to generate revenue through operational fees and related services [3]. - A dedicated task force, the "MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force," will be established to facilitate the nationwide rollout of Proof of Human technology [3][5]. Group 2: Background and Purpose - The collaboration addresses the challenge of distinguishing between humans and AI online, leveraging blockchain technology to provide a secure method for individuals to prove their humanity without disclosing their identity [4]. - The initiative aims to foster a digital society where everyone can participate confidently, enhancing the social implementation of Proof of Human [5]. Group 3: Key Initiatives - MEDIROM will deploy advanced cameras, known as Orbs, in approximately 300 Re.Ra.Ku Group locations to verify humanness while preserving privacy [6]. - Plans include establishing flagship locations and pop-up stores to enhance accessibility to Proof of Human verification services [11]. Group 4: Leadership Comments - Koji Eguchi, President and CEO of MEDIROM, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of establishing a social infrastructure for proving humanness in the age of generative AI [7]. - Tomoe Makino, General Manager of Tools for Humanity Japan, highlighted Japan's leadership in adopting technology and the potential of Proof of Human as essential digital infrastructure [12].

Core Viewpoint - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. is collaborating with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to implement Proof of Human technologies, such as World ID, across Japan, aiming to enhance trust in digital interactions and create new revenue streams [2][3][4]. Group 1: Collaboration and Agreements - MEDIROM has signed a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to manage Proof of Human verification locations in Japan, which is expected to generate revenue through operational fees and related services [3]. - A dedicated task force, the "MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force," will be established to facilitate the nationwide rollout of Proof of Human technology [3][5]. Group 2: Background and Purpose - The collaboration addresses the challenge of distinguishing between humans and AI online, leveraging blockchain technology to provide a secure method for individuals to prove their humanity without disclosing their identity [4]. - The initiative aims to foster a digital society where individuals can confidently participate, enhancing trust in online interactions [5][12]. Group 3: Key Initiatives - MEDIROM will deploy advanced cameras, known as Orbs, in approximately 300 Re.Ra.Ku Group locations to verify humanness while preserving privacy [6]. - Plans include establishing flagship locations and pop-up stores to offer Proof of Human verification services in various commercial and public spaces [11]. Group 4: Leadership Comments - Koji Eguchi, President and CEO of MEDIROM, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of establishing a social infrastructure for proving humanness in the age of generative AI [7]. - Tomoe Makino, General Manager of Tools for Humanity Japan, highlighted Japan's leadership in adopting technology and the potential of Proof of Human as essential digital infrastructure [12].

Core Viewpoint - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. is collaborating with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to implement Proof of Human technologies, including World ID, across Japan, aiming to enhance trust in digital interactions and create new revenue streams for the company [2][3][4]. Group 1: Collaboration Details - MEDIROM has signed a Master Service Agreement with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to manage Proof of Human verification locations in Japan, leveraging its network of approximately 300 physical locations [3][5]. - A dedicated task force, the "MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force," will be established to facilitate the nationwide rollout of this technology [3][5]. Group 2: Background and Purpose - The collaboration addresses the challenge of distinguishing between humans and AI online, which has become increasingly difficult due to advancements in generative AI [4]. - The World project aims to provide a blockchain-based mechanism for individuals to prove their humanity without revealing their identity, thereby fostering trust in digital environments [4][5]. Group 3: Key Initiatives - MEDIROM plans to expand its reach by establishing flagship locations and pop-up stores for Proof of Human verification services, enhancing accessibility for users [7][9]. - The company will utilize advanced camera technology, known as Orbs, to verify humanness at approximately 300 Re.Ra.Ku Group locations [9]. Group 4: Leadership Comments - Koji Eguchi, President and CEO of MEDIROM, expressed excitement about the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of establishing a social infrastructure for proving one's humanity in the digital age [6]. - Tomoe Makino, General Manager of Tools for Humanity Japan, highlighted Japan's leadership in adopting technology and the potential of Proof of Human as essential digital infrastructure [11].

Core Insights - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. has surpassed 10,000 verifications of World ID at its wellness salons in Japan, indicating strong adoption of the proof of human technology [1][2] - The company plans to expand the installation of the Orb, an advanced camera for verifying humanness, to 200 stores, enhancing its service capabilities [1] - The increase in World ID verifications is expected to improve the convenience and reliability of digital social infrastructure, contributing to revenue growth for MEDIROM [2] Company Overview - MEDIROM operates over 300 wellness salons under the "Re.Ra.Ku" brand across Japan, providing various health and wellness services [8][11] - The company has expanded into HealthTech since 2015, offering on-demand training apps and manufacturing health monitoring devices like the MOTHER Bracelet [11] Technology and Services - World ID is a global authentication technology that proves "humanness" rather than identity, addressing challenges posed by the rise of generative AI [3] - The Orb camera is utilized to verify individuals' humanness without revealing their identities, supporting the World ID initiative [3][4]

Company Developments - Innovation Beverage Group Limited (NASDAQ:IBG) experienced a 312% surge in stock price to $2.37, driven by strategic expansion in the beverage sector and a potential merger with BlockFuel Energy Inc. [2] - bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (BIAFW) saw a 265% jump in stock price to $0.28, linked to the release of three new case studies demonstrating the clinical value of its product, CyPath® Lung, in detecting early-stage lung cancer [3] - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MRM) recorded a 116% rise in stock price to $3.13, attributed to the adoption of its REMONY system by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force [4] - Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (APLT) experienced a 71% increase in stock price to $0.95, driven by progress in clinical trials for its lead product candidate AT-007 and advancements in the CMT-SORD program [5] Market Trends - Recent market trends indicate significant price changes for several companies, reflecting key developments and heightened investor interest [1] - The dynamic nature of the stock market is underscored by how company developments and investor sentiment can significantly influence stock prices [6]

Company Overview - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. is a diversified healthcare company headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, led by CEO Kouji Eguchi and listed on NASDAQ under the symbol MRM [3][14] - The company operates over 300 wellness salons under the "Re.Ra.Ku" brand across Japan, and has expanded into HealthTech since 2015, offering various health-related services and products [13][10] Partnership and Technology Integration - MEDIROM has joined the "World" protocol, co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, to drive the adoption of World ID technology in Japan [3][4] - The World ID technology aims to provide digital proof of human identity, addressing challenges posed by the rise of generative AI [5] Deployment Plans - MEDIROM plans to deploy the World ID proof of human authentication device, Orb, across 100 Re.Ra.Ku relaxation studios in Japan by the end of September 2025, with plans to expand to 200 locations nationwide [3][4] - This deployment represents the largest installation of Orbs in Japan to date, enhancing access to this new social infrastructure [3] Service and Product Offerings - The Orb device uses advanced camera technology to verify individuals' humanness without identifying them, and once verified, a World ID is issued and stored in the World App for use across compatible services [5][6] - MEDIROM's product offerings include the battery-free smart tracker "MOTHER Bracelet," which is utilized in various industries for remote monitoring [13]

Core Points - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. has partnered with Hakuhodo Inc. to promote the adoption of World ID in Japan, a protocol designed to verify human authenticity in the AI era [3][4] - The collaboration aims to install the "Orb" verification device in approximately 100 Re.Ra.Ku relaxation salons, with a target of issuing 500,000 new World IDs annually by the end of December 2025 [5][12] Company Overview - MEDIROM operates over 300 relaxation salons under the "Re.Ra.Ku" brand and has expanded into HealthTech, offering various health-related services and products [19] - Hakuhodo will provide planning and operational support as a flagship partner in the domestic expansion of the World project [12] - Tools for Humanity (TFH) is responsible for providing the World technology, platform operation, and security supervision, ensuring user privacy and control [12][16] Technology and Implementation - World ID is a global personal authentication technology that aims to provide digital proof of human identity, especially in a landscape increasingly populated by generative AI [9] - The "Orb" device utilizes advanced camera technology to verify individuals' humanness without compromising their identity [9][10] - Once verified, users can store their World ID in the "World App," allowing access to various compatible services [10] Market Context - The initiative is part of a broader global effort to build tools that help humanity adapt to the AI era, increasing online trust by distinguishing between humans and AI [8] - The project is co-founded by notable figures in the tech industry, including Sam Altman, aiming to create a new economic system where only verified humans can access certain services [8]

Core Points - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. has regained compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement as of June 4, 2025 [1][3] - The company was previously notified on February 27, 2025, that it was not in compliance, needing to maintain a minimum closing bid price of $1.00 per share for at least 10 consecutive business days [2] - The closing bid price of the company's American Depositary Shares (ADSs) was $1.00 or greater for the required period from May 20, 2025, to June 3, 2025 [3] Company Overview - MEDIROM operates over 300 wellness salons in Japan, with its leading brand being Re.Ra.Ku® [4] - The company entered the health tech business in 2015 and launched an on-demand training app called "Lav®" [4] - In 2020, MEDIROM developed a smart tracker, the "MOTHER Bracelet®," and in 2023, it launched REMONY, a remote monitoring system for corporate clients across various industries [4] - MEDIROM aims to leverage its diverse portfolio to collect and manage healthcare data, positioning itself as a leader in healthcare big data in Japan [4]

Core Insights - MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. has announced that its subsidiary, MEDIROM MOTHER Labs, has surpassed 100 cumulative contracted companies and 10,000 cumulative supported individuals using its health guidance service via the "Lav" app [2][5] - The "Lav" app, launched in 2019, provides continuous health support through information and communication technology, receiving high evaluations from health insurance associations and company employees [2][11] - The total weight loss achieved by all "Lav" users since the app's implementation has reached 15,421 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 2.2 African elephants or 10 cars [7] Company Overview - MEDIROM operates over 300 wellness salons across Japan, with its leading brand being Re.Ra.Ku, and has expanded into health tech since 2015 with the launch of the "Lav" app [17] - The company also entered the device business in 2020 with the development of the "MOTHER Bracelet" and launched a remote monitoring system called REMONY in 2023, catering to various industries [17] - MEDIROM aims to leverage its diverse health-related products and services to collect and manage healthcare data, positioning itself as a leader in big data within the healthcare industry [17] Specific Health Guidance Program - The Specific Health Guidance Program, implemented by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, targets medical insurance subscribers aged 40-74 to prevent lifestyle-related diseases [10] - The program includes specific health checkups and guidance from public health nurses and registered dietitians, focusing on improving diet and exercise habits for those at risk of metabolic syndrome [10] - The "Lav" app enhances this program by allowing users to track their health status and receive personalized advice from professional coaches, making health promotion more accessible [11]