Cluster to Support Hikikomori in Metaverse - Joint Research with Hokkaido University Hospital and Mediative - "Metaverse Consultation System for Hikikomori Support" to Launch June 11

Cluster Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naoto Kato; hereinafter "Cluster"), the developer and operator of the domestic metaverse platform "cluster," announced today that it will commence a joint research project with the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Hokkaido University Hospital (Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido; Professor: Takahiro Kato) and Mediative Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takuma Hata; hereinafter "Mediative"). This industry-academia collaboration aims to launch the "Metaverse Consultation System for Hikikomori Support" targeting individuals in a state of social withdrawal (hikikomori) and patients with mental illnesses, starting June 11, 2026.

As the first phase of this project, "Metaverse Simulated Consultations" will be conducted, enabling communication with doctors within a virtual space (Approved by the Hokkaido University Hospital Ethics Committee on March 23, 2026). This initiative represents a highly advanced effort in Japan for conducting metaverse consultations with individuals experiencing hikikomori in the field of psychiatry.

Background of the Research: Towards Solving the Social Issue of Delayed Medical Access
Currently, individuals experiencing social withdrawal face significant hurdles in attending medical appointments due to difficulties in going out and strong anxiety about face-to-face communication. This delay in medical access poses a serious healthcare challenge, increasing the risk of prolonged or severe mental symptoms and delayed detection of physical illnesses.

On the other hand, psychiatric care, which primarily relies on "dialogue" and "observation," is considered highly compatible with virtual spaces that offer immersion and spatial sharing. Cluster's participation in this joint research aims to explore new options for resolving the medical access challenges faced by individuals, by providing its metaverse technology infrastructure.

Utilization and Verification Content of "cluster" in the Joint Research
This project will be conducted until March 31, 2028, targeting patients visiting the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Hokkaido University Hospital and other institutions for reasons such as hikikomori, depression, schizophrenia, and developmental disorders. A "Metaverse Consultation Room" will be constructed on Cluster's metaverse platform "cluster," facilitating simulated consultations of approximately 10-15 minutes via avatars.

Mitigation of Psychological Burden: Verifying an environment where individuals with high interpersonal anxiety can consult and converse more relaxedly compared to traditional in-person consultations or video calls.

Providing Environmental Options: In addition to replicating standard consultation rooms, the system will include a "support seat" where medical professionals can accompany the patient, allowing for spatial selection tailored to the patient's psychological state.

Clinical Verification through Data Analysis: During consultations with the aid of a Head-Mounted Display (HMD), eye and movement data will be recorded and analyzed to comprehensively verify clinical effectiveness.

Interactive Functionality: Features include optional avatar selection and BGM changes, as well as the ability to display actual medical professional images on a monitor as needed, creating a pseudo-face-to-face environment.

Metaverse-Specific Features: Clinical Research Using Gaze/Viewpoint Data
This joint research will utilize devices such as VR Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs) to conduct clinical research using "objective data" obtainable only in virtual spaces.

Gaze Tracking and Visualization: It is possible to track and visualize a patient's gaze during a consultation on a per-patient ID basis, accurately identifying where the patient is looking within the space.

Cross-Analysis with Survey Data: The collected gaze data will be cross-analyzed with post-consultation survey results. This will objectively verify differences in gaze patterns and behavior between patients who are "satisfied with the consultation and moving towards recovery" and those who are "dissatisfied and showing no signs of recovery," contributing to future treatment approaches and psychiatric research.

【Note】 Metaverse consultations in this research are not intended for billing medical fees or improving symptoms. After providing sufficient prior explanation and obtaining patient consent, these will be "simulated consultations" conducted after the actual treatment has already taken place through regular in-person sessions.

【Future Outlook】
Based on the outcomes and insights gained from this research, Cluster aims to explore the potential for application and social implementation in the mid-to-long term, not only for hikikomori support but also for individuals facing various medical access challenges, such as those with anxiety or tension making consultations difficult, or those living in remote areas.

【Comments from Stakeholders】
■ Naoto Kato, CEO, Cluster Inc.
It is estimated that approximately 1.46 million people in Japan are currently experiencing hikikomori (social withdrawal) (*). I myself experienced three years of hikikomori during my graduate studies. While there are various backgrounds and individual reasons for hikikomori, many remain isolated without access to medical care. Cluster aims to deliver "a place where everyone can be themselves," and this research is a challenge to extend that philosophy into the medical domain. I believe avatars can serve as a bridge for individuals with social anxiety to take "one more step."
Through this industry-academia collaboration with Hokkaido University Hospital and Mediative, Cluster hopes to demonstrate that the metaverse can be a new option for medical access and contribute to solving social issues through technology.
(*) Source: 2023 (R5) Survey on Awareness and Lifestyles of Children and Young People, Cabinet Office

■ Takahiro Kato, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Hokkaido University Hospital
It is not uncommon for underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and developmental disorders to coexist with hikikomori, and connecting with appropriate treatment and support is a crucial first step towards recovery. However, due to mental symptoms and social anxiety, many individuals find in-person consultations to be a significant burden, making it difficult to access support. In 2013, I established the world's first "Hikikomori Research Clinic" at Kyushu University Hospital to develop support methods for both individuals and their families. Starting April 2025, I will be based at Hokkaido University Hospital to build a comprehensive hikikomori support system in Hokkaido. This project will utilize the metaverse to develop pathways that shorten the "distance to accessing psychiatric care."

■ Takuma Hata, Representative Director, Mediative Inc.
Healthcare can only be effective when patients can reach it. For individuals experiencing social withdrawal, the act of going out, visiting a hospital, or discussing their concerns face-to-face can be a major hurdle. This project is an endeavor to shorten that "distance to accessing healthcare" by utilizing the new space of the metaverse. Mediative will combine the expertise of medical professionals with knowledge of creative avatar communication, aiming not just for technological demonstration but for the realization of a warm medical environment where individuals can safely find support.

■ About Cluster Inc.
Cluster Inc. is a technology company that develops and operates one of Japan's largest metaverse platforms, with a vision to "create the OS for co-creation spaces that connect all people, things, and technologies." The company's proprietary large-scale concurrent...