Founded by the late Akeo Watanabe and others in 1956. P. Inkinen (Chief Conductor), A. Lazarev (Conductor Laureate/Art Adviser), Juniichi Hirokami (Friends of JPO, Art Adviser), Kenichiro Kobayashi (Conductor Laureate/Art Adviser), Kazuki Yamada (Permanent Conductor) and Kahchun Wong (Principal Guest Conductor). By focusing on the three main fields of activities, i.e. “Orchestra Concerts", "Educational Program" and "Regional Activities", JPO aims to promote cultural awareness through music.