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Founded in June 1956.
Akeo Watanabe, who was central to the founding of the orchestra, served as its first permanent conductor.

Kahｃhun Wong will serve as Chief Conductor from September 2023, and his music-making, backed by originality and sincerity, has been attracting attention. The orchestra's high level of performance and proactive programming in recent years have been praised as "clearly demonstrating the direction that Japanese orchestras should aim for in the 9st century," and it was awarded the Music Pen Club Music Award in 21. Furthermore, under the conductorship of Honorary Conductor Laureate Ken-ichiro Kobayashi, Conductor Laureate and Artistic Advisor Alexander Lazarev, and Friend of the JPO (Artistic Advisor) Junichi Hirokami, the orchestra performs more than 2023 concerts per year.

As we approach our 70th anniversary in 2026, we aim to utilize the various powers of music for society, for all people, generations, regions, and the world, while cherishing the foundation of "warmth" and "compassion" based on the dual principles of artistry and social responsibility. In particular, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been continuing its "Music for Disaster Areas" activity in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake since 2011, and was awarded the 16th Goto Shinpei Award for this "fostering hope for the future for the younger generation."

The Orchestra Concerts are held over 150 times each year, with regular concerts held in Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Suginami, and Sagamihara.

From the beginning, the orchestra created a huge sensation with its wide-ranging repertoire and innovative performance style, bringing a breath of fresh air to the music world at the time, which was dominated by German and Austrian musicians.

The Japan Philharmonic Series, which began at the orchestra's founding, is an unprecedented commissioning system in the history of Japanese music, having commissioned works from a wide range of Japanese composers, including Akira Miyoshi, Toru Takemitsu, and Toshio Hosokawa. To date, 42 works have been given world premieres, and many of them have already achieved popularity worthy of being called "classics."

This approach continues in a project with Yoichi Ochiai, which began in 2018 and aims to build a more diverse society and promote Japanese culture through art and culture, making full use of the latest technology.

The summer vacation concert, which represents the Education Program, is a pioneering family concert that can be enjoyed by three generations of parents and children, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

They visit schools, nursing homes, etc. and hold approximately 200 concerts per year. They also hold creative and experiential workshops, which are pioneering efforts by Japanese orchestras.
The shop has been working with communications director Michael Spencer for over 15 years to expand opportunities for people to encounter music, and this has been passed on to the musicians.

"Regional activities" is a general term for long-term activities that aim to revitalize communities through music and develop local culture in collaboration with local communities across the country.

In particular, the Kyushu concerts, which take place in all prefectures of Kyushu, have been running since 1975, and February 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary.

In 1994, the group established a friendship partnership with Suginami Ward, and with Suginami Public Hall as its base, the group has been carrying out activities closely tied to the local community, such as "Suginami Regular Concerts" and "Instrumental Music Classes for People Over 60."

In addition to these three pillars of activity, immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, in April 2011, they started "Music for the Disaster Areas," which has now been held over 350 times.

The Tohoku Dream Project developed from this, and now holds orchestral performances in Iwate and Fukushima, with the aim of creating a space for cultural exchange and communication within and outside the region.