MEDIROM Partners with World on Technology Envisioned by Sam Altman and Alex Blania: Deploying “Proof of Human” Infrastructure throughout Japan

Rhea-AI Summary

MEDIROM (NASDAQ: MRM) announced on December 29, 2025 a Master Service Agreement with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to deploy Proof of Human verification across Japan using World ID technology co-created by Sam Altman and Alex Blania.

Under the MSA MEDIROM will operate Proof of Human verification locations leveraging a nationwide network of approximately 300 physical locations, deploy Orbs cameras, establish flagship locations and pop-up stores, and create the MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force. The company said operation fees and related services are expected to contribute to revenue over time.

Positive

• MSA signed with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation dated December 29, 2025
• Access to deployment across ~300 physical locations
• Planned use of Orbs cameras for privacy-preserving verification
• Creation of a dedicated Proof of Human Task Force

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Nationwide locations approximately 300 locations MEDIROM network used for Proof of Human rollout

Re.Ra.Ku locations approximately 300 locations Sites planned to host Orbs for verification

Market Reality Check

$2.21 Last Close

Volume Volume 51,754 is below the 20-day average of 90,319 ahead of this partnership update. low

Technical Price $2.21 is trading above the 200-day MA $1.57, reflecting an existing upward trend.

Peers on Argus 1 Down

MRM showed a positive pre-news move of 3.76% while the only momentum-scanned peer, TRNR, was down 4.20%, and other listed peers had mixed moves. This points to stock-specific dynamics rather than a broad personal services sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 26	World partnership MSA	Positive	+3.8%	Master Service Agreement to deploy Proof of Human tech across Japan.
Dec 04	Distribution partnership	Positive	+4.9%	TD SYNNEX deal to scale MOTHER Bracelet and REMONY nationwide.
Oct 30	Internal capital raise	Positive	+7.7%	Series A investment by management to strengthen MOTHER Labs’ growth.
Oct 29	Crypto treasury plan	Neutral	-21.0%	Adoption of WLD and ETH as reserve assets in treasury strategy.
Oct 28	World ID milestone	Positive	-1.5%	Passing 10,000 World ID verifications and planning Orb rollout to 200 stores.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has often focused on partnerships and strategic initiatives, with several positive 24-hour moves (up to 7.73%), but also notable negative reactions such as the -20.99% move on the cryptocurrency treasury update, indicating variable market reception.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, MEDIROM has emphasized partnerships and technology-driven growth. On Oct 28, it reported surpassing 10,000 World ID verifications and plans to expand Orb cameras to 200 stores. A new cryptocurrency treasury strategy on Oct 29 coincided with a -20.99% move. Subsequent events included a Series A investment in MEDIROM MOTHER Labs valued at ¥9 billion and distribution partnerships for MOTHER Bracelet and REMONY. The prior World partnership MSA on Dec 26 saw a 3.76% gain, directly tying into today’s expanded collaboration theme.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement formalizes MEDIROM’s role in deploying World’s Proof of Human infrastructure across roughly 300 locations in Japan under a Master Service Agreement. It extends earlier Orb and World ID milestones and introduces a dedicated task force to scale operations. In context of recent partnerships, capital investments, and a new treasury strategy, investors may track execution metrics such as verification volumes, network coverage, and how quickly the initiative contributes to revenue from operation fees and related services.

Key Terms

proof of human technical

"deploy Proof of Human technologies such as World ID throughout Japan."

Proof of human is a verification that an online user or participant is a real person rather than an automated program, typically done through simple tests (for example confirming a phone number, solving a brief visual puzzle, or responding to an email). For investors, it matters because it helps prevent fraud, fake trading activity, and data manipulation, protects customer accounts and regulatory compliance, and keeps markets and online services trustworthy—like a doorman checking IDs before letting people into a secured event.

blockchain technology technical

"World aims to provide a mechanism, utilizing blockchain technology, that allows anyone"

A blockchain is a shared digital ledger that records transactions across many computers so entries are visible to participants and hard to change. Think of it like a Google Doc that everyone can see and verify but cannot secretly edit, creating a permanent chain of time-stamped records. Investors watch blockchain because it can reduce fraud and middlemen, enable new digital assets and services, and materially affect company costs, revenue models and regulatory risk.

generative ai technical

"In recent years, advances in generative AI have made it extremely difficult"

Generative AI is a type of computer technology that can create new content, like text, images, or music, on its own. It’s important because it can produce realistic and useful material quickly, which could change how we create art, write stories, or even develop new products. Think of it as a smart robot that can invent and produce things almost like a human.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

TOKYO, Dec. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEDIROM Healthcare Technologies Inc. (Headquarters:Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kouji Eguchi; NASDAQ: MRM, MEDIROM or the “Company”), a diversified healthcare company, collaborating with World Foundation and Tools for Humanity to deploy Proof of Human technologies such as World ID throughout Japan. The World project was co-created by Sam Altman and Alex Blania.

In preparation for the full-scale rollout of the World project in Japan, MEDIROM has entered into a Master Service Agreement (“MSA”) with Tools for Humanity (“TFH”) and World Foundation (“WF”). Under the MSA, the MEDIROM Group will be responsible for the operation of “Proof of Human” verification locations in Japan. This initiative is expected to contribute to MEDIROM’s revenue through operation fees and related services over time. Leveraging MEDIROM’s nationwide network of approximately 300 physical locations and operational expertise, the collaboration enables rapid and trusted deployment of Proof of Human technology at scale. To support this effort, MEDIROM will newly establish a dedicated special task force, the “MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force,” and will strengthen its organizational structure to promote the nationwide rollout of Proof of Human technology powered by World.
     
◼︎ Background and Purpose of the Collaboration
In recent years, advances in generative AI have made it extremely difficult to distinguish between “humans” and “AI” online, creating a global challenge to establish trust online. To address this challenge, Sam Altman and Alex Blania co-created World. World aims to provide a mechanism, utilizing blockchain technology, that allows anyone worldwide to safely and fairly prove they are human (“Proof of Human”) without revealing their identity.
MEDIROM shares this vision and established a special task force, the “MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force.”

The Company will begin full-scale collaboration in Japan with TFH and WF to bring the World Proof of Human verification technology to people throughout Japan. MEDIROM will drive access across diverse fields beyond its existing footprint of relaxation and wellness retail locations. The Company expects such expansion to contribute to a future where everyone can participate in the digital society with confidence through the social implementation of “Proof of Human.”

◼︎ Key Initiatives
• Availability of Orbs, an advanced camera deploying privacy-preserving technologies to verify humanness, in approximately 300 Re.Ra.Ku Group locations
• Establishment and operation of flagship locations offering Proof of Human verification services
• Deployment of Proof of Human verification pop-up stores in commercial facilities and public spaces

◼︎ Comment from Koji Eguchi, President and CEO of MEDIROM
We are excited to launch this collaboration in Japan with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation. As generative AI rapidly permeates society, we firmly believe that this new social infrastructure for “proving one's humanness” will become an indispensable foundation for the future digital society.

Through this collaboration, we seek to broaden our reach with new approaches, such as establishing flagship locations and pop-up stores, to build an authentication environment that more people can use with confidence. We intend not only to grow this initiative into a new revenue model but also to contribute to building trust within Japan's digital society, further accelerating our evolution as a health tech company.

◼︎ Comment from Tomoe Makino, General Manager of Japan at Tools For Humanity           
“Japan has long been a global leader in adopting technology that improves everyday life, and we believe Proof of Human will become essential digital infrastructure in the age of AI,” said Tomoe Makino, General Manager of Tools for Humanity Japan. “By collaborating with Medirom, which has deep roots in communities across the country, we can bring World ID to people in trusted, familiar spaces and support a future where everyone can participate in the digital society with greater confidence.”

◼︎ About Tools for Humanity
Tools for Humanity (TFH) is a global technology company established to build for humans in the age of AI. Founded by Sam Altman and Alex Blania, it led the initial development of World Network and operates World App. Tools for Humanity Corporation is headquartered in San Francisco, California and Munich, Germany. To learn more, visit: toolsforhumanity.com

◼︎ About World Network
World is intended to be the world’s 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 and on X.          

◼︎ About MEDIROM Group

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

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

■ Forward-Looking Statements Regarding MEDIROM

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’s 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 “may,” “will,” “should,” “design,” “target,” “aim,” “hope,” “expect,” “could,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “goal,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These statements relate to future events or to MEDIROM’s future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause MEDIROM’s 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’s control and which could, and likely will, affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement reflects MEDIROM’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MEDIROM’s 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:

• A third party entering into a letter agreement with TFH and WF and the MSA becoming effective;

• MEDIROM’s ability to achieve its development goals for its business and execute and evolve its growth strategies, priorities and initiatives;

• changes in Japanese and global economic conditions and financial markets, including their effects on MEDIROM’s expansion in Japan and certain overseas markets;

• MEDIROM’s ability to achieve and sustain profitability in its Digital Preventative Healthcare Segment;

• the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates, which affects MEDIROM’s expenses and liabilities payable in foreign currencies;

• MEDIROM’s ability to maintain and enhance the value of its brands and to enforce and maintain its trademarks and protect its other intellectual property;

• MEDIROM’s ability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms or at all;

• MEDIROM’s level of indebtedness and potential restrictions on MEDIROM under MEDIROM’s debt instruments;

• changes in consumer preferences and MEDIROM’s competitive environment;

• MEDIROM’s ability to respond to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, and to global pandemics, such as COVID-19; and

• the regulatory environment in which MEDIROM operates.

More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect MEDIROM’s business, reputation, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price is included in MEDIROM’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the “Risk Factors” and “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” sections of MEDIROM’s most recently filed periodic report on Form 20-F and subsequent filings, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. MEDIROM assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/70d8e698-46bf-46f8-81d1-9fc7c0b40c76

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45bd08ba-8f8b-4847-be5d-df9b71cb3628

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a803d74a-6bc1-4dfe-8b9f-4c2bce2193d8

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b69c0ce4-7d88-408b-90b8-f6fa50eb5865 

FAQ

What did MEDIROM (MRM) announce on December 29, 2025 about World ID in Japan?

MEDIROM announced a Master Service Agreement with Tools for Humanity and World Foundation to operate Proof of Human verification locations across Japan.

How many MEDIROM locations will deploy Proof of Human technology for MRM?

The company plans deployment leveraging approximately 300 physical locations, including Re.Ra.Ku Group sites.

Will MEDIROM (MRM) earn revenue from the World Proof of Human rollout?

MEDIROM expects operation fees and related services from the rollout to contribute to revenue over time.

What hardware will MEDIROM use to verify humanness for MRM's World rollout?

MEDIROM will make Orbs, an advanced privacy-preserving camera, available in its locations for verification.

What organizational changes did MEDIROM announce for the World ID project (MRM)?

The company will establish the MEDIROM World Proof of Human Task Force and strengthen its organizational structure for nationwide rollout.

Where will MEDIROM offer Proof of Human verification services under the MRM agreement?

MEDIROM will operate flagship verification locations, deploy pop-up stores in commercial facilities and offer services across its nationwide network.