[Conductor] A Japanese conductor. Recommended Japanese conductors.

Do you know any Japanese conductors? Centered in Europe, classical music has been loved by people from many countries and widely popularized by numerous performers and the conductors who lead them.

There are many renowned conductors like Karajan, and a conductor’s interpretation can change the atmosphere of the same piece so much that it often determines which concert audiences choose to attend—making conductors truly essential.

While foreign conductors’ names may roll off the tongue, how many Japanese conductors can you name? Foreign conductors are outstanding, but Japanese conductors are no less impressive.

In this article, we’ll introduce Japanese conductors active in Japan and abroad—from principal conductors and music directors, to familiar faces in orchestral concerts of video game and anime music, to popular wind band conductors, and those who have founded Japan-based ensembles to showcase the appeal of Japan’s classical music scene.

Playlist

[Conductor] A Japanese conductor. Recommended Japanese conductors.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Indicator of Advanced Technology / Siena Wind OrchestraSado Yutaka		Yutaka Sado is a conductor who represents the Japanese wind band world.
2	Suite ‘The Planets,’ Op. 32 / Sendai Philharmonic OrchestraŌta Gen		Introducing the musical activities and talent of the young conductor, Gen Ota
3	Fantasia on Osaka Popular Songs / Osaka Philharmonic OrchestraAsahina Takashi		Takashi Asahina nurtured the Osaka Philharmonic and thrived as a renowned conductor.
4	Boléro / Russian Bolshoi Symphony OrchestraNishimoto Tomomi		Female conductors thrive on the international stage
5	Symphony No. 5 (Tchaikovsky) / New Japan Philharmonic OrchestraKobayashi Kenichirō		The passionate conductor Kobaken: his international achievements and appeal
6	Prelude to Act I from ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’ / Tokyo Symphony OrchestraŌtomo Naoto		Naoto Otomo is a conductor active across multiple genres.
7	Overture from the Incidental Music “Egmont,” Op. 84Yamashita Kazufumi		Passionate music conducted by Kazufumi Yamashita
8	Symphonic Suite “Dragon Quest” / Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestrasugiyama kouichi		Koichi Sugiyama, a maestro of video game music
9	Variations on a Theme by HaydnNumajiri Ryūsuke		Numaijiri Ryoten, active as a conductor, composer, and pianist
10	Overture to the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” / Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestraokizawa nodoka		Nodoka Okisawa, active as a conductor in Japan and abroad
11	Symphonie fantastique / Kanagawa Philharmonic OrchestraOoue Eiji		Eiji Oue is a passionate conductor active across multiple genres.
12	Matsuken Samba IIMiyagawa Akira		Akira Miyagawa is a stage music artist and a versatile composer.
13	Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D 485 / Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony OrchestraKoizumi Kazuhiro		Kazuhiro Koizumi is a conductor who excels at Romantic symphonies.
14	Main Theme from the NHK Taiga Drama ‘Reach Beyond the Blue Sky’ / NHK Symphony OrchestraHirokami Jun’ichi		Junichi Hirokami's passionate conducting career
15	Festival Variations / NHK Symphony Orchestra (Wind Ensemble Arrangement)Genda Shigeo		Conductor Shigeo Genda, active in the fusion of wind band and orchestra
16	Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathétique” / Sendai Philharmonic OrchestraEnkoji Masahiko		A conductor who studied under a master enriches Japan’s music scene
17	Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 / Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony OrchestraŌno Kazushi		The activities and music of Kazushi Ono, a conductor Japan is proud of
18	Mahler: Symphony No. 1 / Yomiuri Symphony OrchestraIimori Taijiro		Taijiro Iimori is a master conductor of Wagner.
19	Cycle of Symphonic Poems “Má vlast” / Sendai Philharmonic OrchestraKoseki Ken		Ken Takaseki is a conductor who represents Japan.
20	“Star Wars” Main Title / Tokyu Silvester Concert 2022Harada Keitaro		Keitaro Harada’s Conducting Activities and Achievements
21	Serenade for Strings, Movement I / Saito Kinen OrchestraOzawa Seiji		Seiji Ozawa is a classical conductor who represents Japan.
22	Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 / Senzoku Gakuen College of Music OrchestraAkiyama Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Akiyama is one of Japan's leading conductors.
23	Proof of a Hero / Tokyo Philharmonic OrchestraKurita Hirofumi		Conductor Hirofumi Kurita, active in video game and anime music
24	Overture to the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila” / City of Birmingham Symphony OrchestraYamada Kazuki		Kazuki Yamada’s Achievements and Awards as a Conductor
25	Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major / Tokyu Silvester Concert 2012Fujioka Yukio		Yukio Fujioka is the principal conductor of the Kansai Philharmonic.
26	Symphonic Poem “Finlandia”Matsuo Yoko		Yoko Matsuo’s original musical activities
27	The Blue Danubeasahina chitari		Chiashi Asahina is a Japanese conductor who studied conducting in Germany.
28	Swan of TuonelaWatanabe Akio		Akio Watanabe led the development of Japanese classical music
29	Symphonic Poem “A Hero’s Life”Odaka Tadaaki		Tadaaki Otaka, Professor Emeritus of Conducting at Tokyo University of the Arts
30	Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” Second MovementInagaki Masayuki		Conductor Masayuki Inagaki with a wide-ranging repertoire
31	Kiki’s Delivery Service / New Japan Philharmonic World Dream OrchestraHisaishi Joe		Introduce Joe Hisaishi’s musical life and achievements
32	Olympic MarchYamada Kōsaku		Kosaku Yamada is the origin of Japanese classical music.
33	“Kibou” requiem for victims of earthquake in JapanSoga Daisuke		Composed a piece in remembrance of the Great East Japan Earthquake
34	From Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter”: [Movement IV]Yamada Kazuo		Kazuo Yamada’s experiences of glory and setback
35	Symphony No. 5 (Shostakovich) / NHK Symphony OrchestraIwashiro Hiroyuki		Hiroyuki Iwaki was a diligent conductor who led many orchestras.
36	The Legend of Zelda Orchestra ConcertTakemoto Taizō		Introduction to the activities of the versatile conductor Taizo Takemoto
37	Waltz of the Flowers (from The Nutcracker)Iimori Norichika		Norichika Iimori is one of Japan’s leading conductors.
38	Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 “Fate” (Beethoven), 4th Movement / Hiroshima Symphony OrchestraShimono Tatsuya		Tatsuya Shimono, a highly skilled classical conductor
39	Akira Ifukube / From Japanese Suite for Orchestra: Bon Odori, Tanabata, Nebuta / Chiba Prefecture Youth OrchestraInoue Michiyoshi		Activities and Achievements of Japanese Conductor Michiyoshi Inoue
40	Symphonic Poem “Flower of the Mandala”Yuasa Takuo		A conductor is training the next generation at Tokyo University of the Arts.
41	From Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter” [First Movement]Wakasugi Hiroshi		Hiroshi Wakasugi is the principal conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
42	Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D majorTakubo Yūichi		A career shift from teacher to conductor prompted by my mother's death
43	“Autumn” from The Four SeasonsSaitō Hideo		The music education method established by Hideo Saito
44	Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Movement 3 / Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Basic OrchestraNobutaka Masui		Nobutaka Masui was active in Vienna and gained international recognition.
45	Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” Fourth Movement / Kyushu University Philharmonic OrchestraSuzuki Masato		Masato Suzuki is a versatile conductor and composer.
46	Festive OvertureYazaki Hikotaro		Chose the path of music and thrived as a conductor
47	Dance of the Wind / Tokyo Kosei Wind OrchestraWatanabe Kazumasa		Works and Influence of Kazumasa Watanabe, a Conductor Representing the Wind Ensemble World
48	Hero’s MazurkaMisawa Kei		Trumpet player Kei Misawa is active
49	Intermezzo from Cavalleria RusticanaYoshida Hiroshi		Hiroshi Yoshida, one of Japan’s leading conductors
50	From “Heaven, Earth, and Humanity”: [Humanity]Yamamoto Naozumi		The achievements of conductor Naosumi Yamamoto, who comes from a family of musicians
51	Overture to AlcobacaToda Akira		Akira Toda is a euphonium player and conductor.
52	Ave verum corpus in D major, K. 618Yahiro Kazumi		Conductor. Specializes in Mendelssohn choral works.
53	Rhapsody for Orchestra / NHK Symphony OrchestraToyama Yuzo		Introduction to the life and musical activities of Yuzo Toyama
54	SF Symphony Fantasy No. 1Ishimaru Hiroshi		Hiroshi Ishimaru forms the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra