{"id":925646,"date":"2026-01-08T18:59:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/world-co-founded-by-sam-altman-and-alex-blania-accelerates-expansion-in-japan-via-medirom-collaboration-re-ra-kus-orb-authentication-surpasses-20000-cumulative-verificati\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T18:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:59:21","slug":"world-co-founded-by-sam-altman-and-alex-blania-accelerates-expansion-in-japan-via-medirom-collaboration-re-ra-kus-orb-authentication-surpasses-20000-cumulative-verificati","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/world-co-founded-by-sam-altman-and-alex-blania-accelerates-expansion-in-japan-via-medirom-collaboration-re-ra-kus-orb-authentication-surpasses-20000-cumulative-verificati\/","title":{"rendered":"World, Co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, Accelerates Expansion in Japan via MEDIROM Collaboration Re.Ra.Ku\u2019s \u201cOrb\u201d Authentication Surpasses 20,000 Cumulative Verifications, Doubling in Approximately Two Months"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TOKYO, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kouji Eguchi; NASDAQ: MRM, MEDIROM or the \u201cCompany\u201d), announces that the cumulative number of Proof of Human authentications using the World ID authentication device \u2018Orb\u2019 at stores centered on the relaxation salon \u201cRe.Ra.Ku,\u201d operated by its subsidiary MEDIROM Wellness Co., surpassed 20,000 as of December 28, 2025.<\/p>\n

The Company participates in World (a Proof of Human authentication protocol), co-founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, and is advancing access to Proof of Human technology via the World Network.<\/p>\n

This milestone of surpassing 20,000 verifications represents a doubling in just about two months since reaching 10,000 cases on October 23, 2025. We believe this is the result of the synergistic functioning of World’s vision for next-generation digital infrastructure and our operational framework leveraging our physical store network.<\/p>\n

Going forward, we will continue to expand the installation of Orbs to 200 salons nationwide, progressively providing broader access to this new social infrastructure that enables more people to perform Proof of Human.<\/p>\n

\n \u25fc<\/strong>
\n \ufe0eBackground of Surpassing 20,000 Authentications<\/strong>
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This milestone of 20,000 authentications was largely driven by our 25th anniversary event, \u201cThe 5-Minute Shoulder Massage Campaign for 250,000 People.\u201d By offering individuals waiting to verify their humanness free shoulder massage experiences at Re.Ra.Ku stores nationwide and special event venues, we captured significant interest as a \u201cnew digital experience.\u201d We believe this natural pathway from real-world experience to technology led to the rapid doubling of authentication numbers in a short period. We will continue advancing initiatives that connect physical and mental care with social infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\n \u25a0 About World Network<\/strong>
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World is intended to be the world\u2019s largest, most inclusive network of real humans. The project was originally conceived by Sam Altman, Max Novendstern, and Alex Blania and aims to provide Proof of Human, finance and connection for every human in the age of AI. Find out more about World at world.org<\/a> and on X<\/a> (formerly Twitter).<\/p>\n

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

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Re.Ra.Ku Group operates more than 300 wellness salons nationwide, centered around Re.Ra.Ku. In addition to \u201cRe.Ra.Ku,\u201d which is located in commercial facilities and street-front stores, the group also operates five other brands: \u201cSpa Re.Ra.Ku,\u201d which is 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 Asian massage techniques.
Web https:\/\/reraku.jp\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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

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\n <\/strong>MEDIROM Group operates approximately 300 wellness salons under the \u201cRe.Ra.Ku\u00ae\u201d brand nationwide. Since 2015, we have expanded into HealthTech, offering on-demand training apps like Lav\u00ae for specific health guidance and lifestyle improvement programs. In 2020, we started manufacturing the 24\/7 recharge-free smart tracker \u201cMOTHER Bracelet\u00ae,\u201d which is now used in REMONY, our remote monitoring system for various industries including caregiving, transportation, construction, and manufacturing.<\/p>\n

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

\n \u25a0 Forward-Looking Statements Regarding MEDIROM<\/strong>
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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