70th anniversary commemorative project

The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will celebrate its 70th anniversary in June 2026.

Introducing the commemorative project.

New logo

Up until now, we have continued to deliver music to all kinds of people, with artistry and social responsibility as the two pillars of our work, while cherishing a culture of warmth and closeness to people. The deep resonance that has been cultivated between the orchestra, its audiences, and its supporters, as well as the many memorable moments we have shared together, are our most precious assets.

As we mark our 70th anniversary, we are determined to transform this energy of "resonance" into an even hotter wave and spread it to our audience and to every corner of society. With our new motto, "Turn resonance into a hot wave," and a new logo mark that embodies this sentiment, designed using the initials JPO of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, overlapping musical staves, the Japan Philharmonic is moving forward toward a new future.

This logo is also a "moving logo." The initial letter J represents the conductor, P represents the orchestra, and O represents the choir, and they begin to move in time with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, "Ode to Joy." This represents the music resonating and spreading out in a hot wave.

70th Anniversary Special Concert
Mahler "Symphony of a Thousand"

As a special concert commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, we will be performing Mahler's Symphony No. 8, "Symphony of a Thousand," at Suntory Hall on the anniversary of our founding and the day before.
　This work is a masterpiece with an epic story, and its performance requires a huge number of performers and preparation, so it is not often possible to perform it. I am delighted that at this special milestone, we will be able to deliver this special music to all of you who love the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, have walked this path with us, and continue to support us.
　I feel that the number "8" has a special meaning. In my native language, Chinese, the sound of "8 (ba)" is "ha" (8).
It is considered an auspicious number, just like the "Fa" in "Exhibition." And since the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra was founded on June 22nd, it is "Cancer." With the "spirit of cherishing family" like Cancer, we will continue to deliver wonderful music to you.
　This special 70th anniversary concert will feature wonderful soloists and the many people who have shared joys and sorrows with us over the years.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Japan Philharmonic Association Chorus, Musashino Chorus, Tokyo College of Music, and our hometown.
I am also looking forward to performing with the Suginami Children's Choir, a group based in Suginami.

Principal Conductor Kah-Chun Wong

Sunday, April 2026, 6 21:17
Monday, May 2026, 6 22:19
Suntory Hall

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand" in E-flat major

Conductor: Kahchun Wong [Chief Conductor]
Soprano I (Sinful Woman): Aya Funakoshi
Soprano II (Confessor): Tamayo Yoshida
Soprano III (Our Lady of Glory): Rie Miyake
Alto I (The Samaritan Woman): Eriko Hanafusa
Alto II (Mary of Egypt): Ikuko Nakajima
Tenor (Doctor of the Venerable Mary): Naoki Miyasato
Baritone (Godfather of Ecstasy): Takashi Aoyama
Bass (Meditating Father): Hirotaka Kato
Choir: Japan Philharmonic Association Choir, Musashino Choir, Tokyo College of Music, Suginami Children's Choir
Release date: Wednesday, March 18th

70th Anniversary Special Regular Concert

We will be celebrating 70 years with the conductors who have worked alongside the Japan Philharmonic up to now, including current Principal Conductor Kah-Chung Wong, Honorary Conductor Laureate Kobayashi Kenichiro, and Friend of the JPO (Artistic Advisor) Hirokami Junichi, as well as former Principal Conductor Inkinen and Kazuki Yamada, who maintains a special connection with the Japan Philharmonic even after leaving his post.

See the concert lineup here.

70th Anniversary Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's "Three Symphonies!"

Yukio Fujioka, the last beloved pupil of the Japan Philharmonic's founding conductor Akio Watanabe, who served as conductor from 1995 to 2002, will be performing the Japan Philharmonic's signature piece.

Conductor: Yukio Fujioka
Sibelius: Symphonic poem "Finlandia" Op.26
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op.64
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14

The 262nd Geigeki Series
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 14:00 Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Release date: Tuesday, February 17th

The 413th Popular Concert
May 17, 2026 (Sun) 14:00 Suntory Hall
Release date: Tuesday, February 17th

Japan Philharmonic Chamber Music Series Tokyo Chamber Music Regular Tour has started!

To mark the 70th anniversary of the orchestra's founding, we will be launching the Tokyo Chamber Music Regular, an ensemble concert series. This series, with both the orchestral arrangement and repertoire produced by the orchestra members, will begin in March 2026 at Oji Hall in Ginza. Vol. 2 will be held in November 2026, and Vol. 3 in March 2027 at Yamaha Hall in Ginza. Vol. 1 will feature chamber music masterpieces spanning the orchestra's various sections.

In conjunction with their third performance at Yokohama Ensemble Wonderland (January 27, 2014), the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will be holding a regular chamber music series in Tokyo and Yokohama, where they also hold their regular concerts, as part of the Japan Philharmonic Chamber Music Series. Experience the intense communication and breathing of the orchestra members who usually create music together, and the sounds they create in each moment. Look forward to this chamber music series, where you can enjoy the individuality, skills, and charm of each member of the orchestra.

"70 Year History of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra" (tentative title) published

As we celebrate our 70th anniversary in June 2026, we will be publishing our first anniversary magazine in 55 years.
Since its founding in 1956, when it brought a breath of fresh air to the music world at the time, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has endured many hardships, and has been led by many maestros, from its founding conductor, Akio Watanabe, to the present day, including the second music director, Kenichiro Kobayashi, Junichi Hirokami, Lazarev, Inkinen, and current chief conductor, Kah-Chung Wong, and supported by many people, including our audiences, to continue its traditions while always challenging itself to do new things.
The greatest hardship for the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra was the dissolution of its foundation and the division of the orchestra in 1972. However, with the support of many people across the country, the orchestra has continued to develop its musical activities as an orchestra walking alongside the citizens, and has carved out a history of 70 years as an independently managed orchestra despite having no major sponsors and a weak financial base.
Supported by its audience, the Japan Philharmonic values ​​"warmth and closeness to people" and moves forward, constantly asking itself what it can do through music, and what it can do as musicians and as a musical organization.
This album is not only a record of the performances we shared with wonderful conductors and soloists, but also a compilation of our progress with society, our gratitude to all those who support us, and our hopes for the future.

・Edited and published by Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, a public interest incorporated foundation
・Scheduled to be published in spring 2026
・Available for sale at the Japan Philharmonic and other venues.
Details will be announced on our website at a later date.