Metaverse Medical Exam System Launches for Hikikomori Support in Japan
This is the first empirical research in Japan on metaverse-based psychiatric examinations for hikikomori, aiming to lower barriers to medical access for a population that struggles with face-to-face interaction.
Reporting from 1 sources: ASCII.jp.
Mediative, Hokkaido University Hospital, and Cluster launched a joint research project on June 11, 2026, to develop a metaverse medical examination system for people in social withdrawal (hikikomori) and patients with mental disorders. The system uses avatars in virtual examination rooms on the Cluster platform to reduce interpersonal anxiety. The first phase involves simulated exams, with research running until March 2028.
The project, approved by the Hokkaido University Ethics Review Committee in March 2026, will run until March 31, 2028. In the virtual examination room, patients can choose from a standard face-to-face setup, a couch bed for relaxation, or a companion seat where staff sit alongside. Medical staff and patients use arbitrary avatars, and the system can display staff facial expressions on a monitor when needed. The research will record gaze and movement data from 10-to-15-minute sessions to verify clinical effectiveness.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.