TMSO was established by Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1965 as a part of a cultural promotion project to mark the Tokyo Olympic Games. TMSO has grown to become one of Japanʼs foremost professional orchestras under the Music Directors such as T. Mori, A. Watanabe, H. Wakasugi, G. Bertini, and K. Ono. Currently Kazushi Ono serves as Artistic Advisor (Conductor Laureate from the 2028 season), Alan Gilbert as Permanent Guest Conductor/Music Partner, Daniele Rustioni as Principal Guest Conductor, Pekka Kuusisto as Artist in Residence (Principal Conductor from the 2028 season), Kazuhiro Koizumi as Honorary Conductor for Life and Eliahu Inbal as Conductor Laureate.
In addition to a variety of subscription concerts and special concerts, TMSO is also actively engaged in efforts to support Tokyo residents, by giving concerts for schools, for welfare institutions and for physically challenged persons, by visiting islands as well as by being involved in outreach activities. TMSO has received much international acclaim as the “Music Ambassador of Capital Tokyo” through overseas performances in Europe, North America and Asia.