{"id":872825,"date":"2025-08-07T16:10:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/medirom-joins-the-world-network-embracing-next-generation-proof-of-human-concept-led-by-chatgpt-creator-sam-altman\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T16:10:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:10:25","slug":"medirom-joins-the-world-network-embracing-next-generation-proof-of-human-concept-led-by-chatgpt-creator-sam-altman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/medirom-joins-the-world-network-embracing-next-generation-proof-of-human-concept-led-by-chatgpt-creator-sam-altman\/","title":{"rendered":"MEDIROM Joins the World Network, Embracing Next-Generation Proof of Human Concept Led by ChatGPT Creator Sam Altman"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

\n Creating new social infrastructure in collaboration with Hakuhodo<\/strong>
\n
\n To promote the spread of World ID in Japan,
<\/strong>
\n Verification Device\u201cOrb\u201dwill be installed in 100 Re.Ra.Ku relaxation salons.<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

TOKYO, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies\u00a0Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kouji Eguchi; NASDAQ: MRM; hereinafter referred to as \u201cMEDIROM\u201d) has collaborated with Hakuhodo\u00a0Inc. to participate in \u201cWorld,\u201d a \u201cproof of human\u201d protocol built for the AI era, co-founded and chaired by Sam Altman (founder of OpenAI).<\/p>\n

Through this collaboration, Tools for Humanity (Headquarters: San Francisco, USA; Co-founder and CEO: Alex Blania; Co-founder and Chairman: Sam Altman; hereinafter referred to as \u201cTFH\u201d) aims to accelerate the adoption of \u201cWorld ID,\u201d a system that verifies an individual\u2019s authenticity as a \u201creal human being,\u201d within the \u201cWorld\u201d protocol it is promoting.<\/p>\n

Going forward, MEDIROM will progressively install the \u201cOrb\u201d World ID authentication device in approximately 100 of its \u201cRe.Ra.Ku\u201d relaxation salons, aiming to achieve cumulative deployment in over 100 stores by the end of December\u00a02025 and issue 500,000 new World IDs annually.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eAbout World<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

World is a proof of human protocol built for the AI era. It enables individuals to verify their humanness online\u2014without compromising privacy. The project was co-founded by Sam Altman, Alex Blania, and Max Novendstern. World is a global initiative to build tools that help humanity prepare for the age of AI. Co-invented by Sam Altman, Alex Blania, and Max Novendstern, World aims to increase trust online by using World ID to distinguish between humans and AI. Its mission is to build a new global economic system where only real humans can access currency and services. Tools for Humanity, co-founded by Altman and Blania, leads the implementation and global deployment of this project.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eAbout World ID<\/strong>
\n \n <\/p>\n

World ID is a global personal authentication technology that proves \u201chumanness.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recent\u00a0years, with the rapid evolution of generative AI, we are entering a society where it is difficult to distinguish between humans and AI. Against this backdrop, World ID aims to provide \u201cdigital proof of human\u201d.<\/p>\n

The \u201cOrb,\u201d an advanced camera, is used to verify humanness of individuals without identifying them.<\/p>\n

Once verification is complete, a verified World ID is issued and stored in \u201cWorld App,\u201d enabling its use across various compatible services.<\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eRoles of each company<\/strong>
\n \n <\/p>\n

MEDIROM
Installation and operation of Orb in Re.Ra.Ku stores (over 100 stores expected)<\/p>\n

Hakuhodo
Planning and operational support as a flagship partner in the domestic expansion of the World project<\/p>\n

Tools for Humanity (TFH)
Provision of World technology, platform operation, and security supervision<\/p>\n

*All data is managed with a focus on privacy, and users retain control.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eAbout Re.Ra.Ku Group<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

Re.Ra.Ku Group operates more than 300 relaxation salons nationwide, centered around its \u201cRe.Ra.Ku\u201d brand relaxation salons. In addition to \u201cRe.Ra.Ku\u201d relaxation salons, which are located in commercial facilities and street-front stores, the group also operates five other brands: \u201cSpa Re.Ra.Ku,\u201d which are located in hot spring facilities; \u201cRe.Ra.Ku PRO,\u201d which operates a multi-purpose running station; \u201cBell Epoc,\u201d which offers a wide range of services such as reflexology and aromatherapy body care, mainly in rural areas; and \u201cRuam Ruam,\u201d which offers luxury relaxation salons using Asian massage techniques.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eAbout Tools for Humanity<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

Founded in 2019, Tools for Humanity (TFH) is a global technology company accelerating the transition to a more inclusive, human-first digital economy. TFH led the initial development of the World Network and operates the World App. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and Berlin.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eAbout MEDIROM Group<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

MEDIROM Group operates over 300 relaxation salons under the “Re.Ra.Ku\u00ae<\/sup>” brand nationwide. Since 2015, we have expanded into HealthTech, offering on-demand training apps like Lav\u00ae<\/sup> for specific health guidance and lifestyle improvement programs. In 2020, we started manufacturing the battery-free smart tracker “MOTHER Bracelet\u00ae<\/sup>,” which is now used in REMONY, our remote monitoring system for various industries including caregiving, transportation, construction, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n

\n About MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies\u00a0Inc.<\/strong>
\n
NASDAQ Symbol: MRM
Tradepia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Web https:\/\/medirom.co.jp\/en<\/p>\n

*The plans, forecasts, and figures included in this release are as of July\u00a030, 2025, and may be subject to change without notice.
*World, WorldID, Worldcoin, and Orb are trademarks or registered trademarks of Tools for Humanity Corporation.
*MOTHER Bracelet is a registered trademark of MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies\u00a0Inc. in Japan.<\/p>\n

\n Contact<\/strong>
\n
Medirom Healthcare Technologies\u00a0Inc.\u00a0\u2014 Email: press@medirom.co.jp<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Forward-Looking Statements Regarding MEDIROM<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include estimates or expectations about MEDIROM\u2019s possible or assumed operational results, financial condition, business strategies and plans, market opportunities, competitive position, industry environment, and potential growth opportunities. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as \u201cmay,\u201d \u201cwill,\u201d \u201cshould,\u201d \u201cdesign,\u201d \u201ctarget,\u201d \u201caim,\u201d \u201chope,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201ccould,\u201d \u201cintend,\u201d \u201cplan,\u201d \u201canticipate,\u201d \u201cestimate,\u201d \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201ccontinue,\u201d \u201cpredict,\u201d \u201cproject,\u201d \u201cpotential,\u201d \u201cgoal,\u201d or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements relate to future events or to MEDIROM\u2019s future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause MEDIROM\u2019s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond MEDIROM\u2019s control and which could, and likely will, affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects MEDIROM\u2019s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MEDIROM\u2019s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release include:<\/p>\n