Create and Share “Music That Is Uniquely Yours” from Photos and Words
Amadeus Code Launches OTOKAI, a Family Communication App
― Amadeus Code Launches OTOKAI, a Family Communication App
Stay connected without having to ask, “How are you?” A new way for families to turn checking in into creative expression.―
Families living apart can stay naturally connected through musical works. (Image)
Stay connected without having to ask, “How are you?”
TOKYO, Japan — Amadeus Code Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Inoue) today announced the launch of OTOKAI, a family communication app that enables users to create and share musical works based on photos, videos, and words.
Available free of charge for iOS and Android beginning July 17, 2026, OTOKAI allows users to view a photo or video, describe how it makes them feel, and use those words as the basis for a musical work. By viewing these posts, family members and friends who live apart can naturally gain a sense of the user’s mood, interests, and daily life.
Key Points
① Creative expression, rather than monitoring, comes first
OTOKAI is not primarily designed for safety checks or abnormality detection. Instead, it offers a new approach in which users can enjoy creating and sharing updates about their lives in a natural, positive way.
② No musical expertise is required
Anyone can enjoy creating musical works simply by putting into words what they feel when viewing a photo or video.
③ Developed by a music AI research and development company
Backed by research into active musical engagement published in an international academic journal, OTOKAI expands the role of music from something people simply listen to into something they create and use to communicate.
Stay Connected Without Having to Ask, “How Are You?”
As populations age and the number of people living alone increases, finding a natural way to stay informed about family members who live apart has become a common concern for many households.
As of October 1, 2024, people aged 65 and older accounted for 29.3% of Japan’s population, totaling 36.24 million people.
Source: Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, Annual Report on the Ageing Society 2025
According to Japan’s 2024 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, households that included at least one person aged 65 or older represented 50.3% of all households. Of these, approximately 9.03 million were single-person households.
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2024
Against this social backdrop, there is growing demand for new forms of communication that allow families to stay naturally connected without creating a sense of obligation or burden.
Conventional monitoring services often focus on safety confirmation and abnormality detection. For the person being monitored, however, this can sometimes create the psychological burden of feeling that they are constantly being watched.
OTOKAI takes a different approach. It begins with the user enjoying the process of creating something with photos, words, and music. Family members can then naturally learn how the person is doing through the works they share.
Rather than “monitoring” someone, OTOKAI helps people stay connected through creative expression.
When a user posts a work, family members and friends can gain a sense of the person’s current mood, interests, memories, and everyday experiences.
Easy Creative Expression Through Photos, Words, and Music
No specialized musical knowledge is required to use OTOKAI.
Users simply view a photo or video and put their impressions into words. From there, they can begin creating a musical work that reflects their own feelings and personality.
An everyday scene, a photograph from the past, a seasonal event, or a memory shared with family can all become the starting point for a new work.
For older adults, the experience can provide an opportunity to reflect on everyday events and personal memories. For their families, it offers a natural way to gain a sense of how someone important to them is doing now.
App screens shown for illustrative purposes.
Developed with Research into Active Musical Engagement in Mind
Amadeus Code has conducted research and development based on the potential of active musical engagement—experiences that go beyond listening to music and involve thinking, choosing, putting feelings into words, and expressing them through creative works.
In a study involving healthy older adults in which Amadeus Code participated, researchers reported improvements in certain cognitive indicators related to frontal lobe function among participants who continuously engaged in composition activities using music-generating AI.
The findings were published in the international academic journal Brain and Behavior.
OTOKAI was developed with this perspective on active musical engagement in mind. The app aims to help people enjoy expressing their feelings in everyday life while staying connected with family members and other important people.
Source: Translated and adapted from Satoh, Brain and Behavior, 2024.
Related Research
Title: Transforming text to music using artificial intelligence improves the frontal lobe function of normal older adults
Journal:: Brain and Behavior ／ DOI：10.1002/brb3.70007
Authors:: Masayuki Satoh, Jun Inoue, Jun-ichi Ogawa, Ken-ichi Tabei, Chiaki Kamikawa, Makiko Abe, Ayaka Yoshizawa, Gyo Kitagawa, Yosinori Ota
＜Important Notice＞ The research described in this release examined the OTOKAI Lessons program, which included composition activities using music-generating AI and was conducted with healthy older adults.
The study did not evaluate the effects of the free functions available in the OTOKAI app itself.
OTOKAI is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease, or to improve cognitive function, memory, or brain function. No specific health or medical outcomes are guaranteed through the use of the app.
A Safe and Enjoyable Musical Experience from a Music AI Company
Since its founding in 2012, Amadeus Code has developed businesses at the intersection of music and technology.
OTOKAI draws on the company’s experience in music AI technology and music production to provide an accessible experience through which anyone can enjoy creating musical works.
Our goal is to expand music beyond an experience that people simply consume and turn it into an everyday form of communication that connects people with one another.
Suggested Uses
OTOKAI may be particularly suitable for people who:
・Want a natural way to stay informed about parents or family members who live apart
・Want to share everyday updates through photos and music
・Want to preserve daily memories and feelings as creative works
・Are looking for a new activity or daily habit for older adults
・Want to communicate more frequently with family members
・Want to enjoy expressing themselves through music
App Overview
Name:OTOKAI
Supported platforms: iOS / Android
Launch date: July 17, 2026
Price: Free
Main features: Creation of musical works based on photos and videos, posting, and sharing with family members and friends
Purpose: Sharing everyday updates and supporting communication with family and friends through musical creation
Download for iOS — App Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/otokai/id6499198233
Download for Android — Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amadeuscode.otokai
Message from the President and CEO
My mother and my paternal grandmother were known in their community for being exceptionally close.
They went for walks together, traveled together, and shared many peaceful and happy years.
However, after my grandmother developed dementia, their everyday lives gradually began to change. My mother continued caring for her at home for as long as she could. But when my grandmother’s condition progressed to the point that she could no longer remember having eaten, the family was forced to consider residential care.
My grandmother was unable to understand that decision. She became angry and deeply saddened, asking why she was being treated that way. Seeing her reaction caused my mother tremendous pain as well.
Dementia is a condition that any family may one day have to face. Through my own family’s experience, I learned how profoundly an illness can change a relationship that was once so peaceful and loving.
Music can sometimes reach the heart before words do. It is also a deeply fundamental human experience that directly engages the brain.
I began to ask myself whether the music to which I have devoted my life could help prevent even one family from experiencing the same kind of sadness.
Could music help families and the people they care about maintain peaceful, happy relationships for as long as possible?
OTOKAI was born from that desire.
OTOKAI is an app that allows people to communicate their feelings and show the people they care about that they are doing well through music.
Through the power of music and technology, we hope to create new ways for families and loved ones to stay connected.
Jun Inoue
President and CEO
Amadeus Code Inc.
Company Overview
Company name: Amadeus Code Inc.
Address: 6F, 2-14-4 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan
Representative: Jun Inoue, President and CEO
Established: April 11, 2012
Business activities: Research and development of music AI data infrastructure and the creation of related platforms
Corporate website:https://amadeuscode.com/
Information for Members of the Media
・Product images, app screenshots, executive interviews, and other press materials are available upon request.
・Requests for app demonstrations and interviews with our president, development team, and other representatives are welcome.
・For inquiries regarding coverage in articles, broadcasts, and other media, please contact us using the details below.
Media and Press Inquiries
Contact:音会 / OTOKAI PR担当
Email: press@amadeuscode.com
Service website: https://otokai.jp/en/
For Companies, Municipalities, and Other Organizations
Create New Connections with Older Adults and Their Families Through OTOKAI
OTOKAI is seeking corporate sponsors and partner organizations interested in creating ongoing points of engagement with older adults and their families through themes such as brain health, music, and family communication.
We can develop partnership programs tailored to the objectives of organizations in fields including finance, insurance, housing, healthcare, regional development, and corporate social responsibility.
Partnership Opportunities
Sponsorship of the Brain Health Page-a-Day Calendar
Sponsorship of OTOKAI concerts
Sponsored posts within the OTOKAI app
Music experience events for customers
Joint programs with municipalities and community organizations
Organizations interested in business partnerships, sponsorship proposals, online presentations, or consultation regarding a three-month trial are invited to contact us using the details below.
Sponsorship and Business Partnership Inquiries
Contact: OTOKAI Sponsorship Team
Email: sponsor@amadeuscode.com
Service website: https://otokai.jp/en/