Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) was formed in 1965, with Heinz Hofmann as its first Permanent Conductor, as a part of a cultural promotion project of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to mark the Tokyo Olympic Games. Since then, the orchestra has grown to become one of Japan’s foremost professional orchestras under the music directorship of conductors such as Tadashi Mori, Akeo Watanabe, and Hiroshi Wakasugi. Gary Bertini, who assumed the position of the fourth Music Director in 1998, established a new era with high reputation but passed away in March 2005.
Presently Eliahu Inbal serves as Principal Conductor and Kazuhiro Koizumi as Resident Conductor. From 2010 season Jakub Hrusa assumes the position of Principal Guest Conductor. Gary Bertini is Laureate Condcutor and Jean Fournet is Permanent Honorary Conductor.
TMSO aims to enrich its artistry with the three concertmasters leading the orchestra; Solo Concertmasters as Tatsuya Yabe and Kyoko Shikata, Concertmaster as Tomoshige Yamamoto.
TMSO gives subscription concerts in two series annually at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan and Suntory Hall, promenade concerts, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space series and other special concerts. In an effort to support Tokyo residents, TMSO organizes joint concerts with teenagers, over 60 school concerts annually and concerts for the handicapped as well as tours outside Tokyo.
Among the numerous discographies are Japanese Contemporary Orchestra Works, including Toru Takemitsu series, Mahler series by Hiroshi Wakasugi and Gary Bertini, as well as popular game music "Dragon Quest".
In 1991, TMSO won the Kyoto Music Award for its ambitious project such as Hiroshi Wakasugi/TMSO Mahler Series.
Overseas tours include; Russia and Eastern Europe in 1977, Seoul in 1986, European Cities such as London, Berlin, and Paris in 1988, China in 1989, Finland in1990, North America in 1991 and Beijing in 2002. As part of a Tokyo cultural dispatch project, TMSO has started a "Harmony Tour" program in 2008 performing widely across the nation. In 2009, the tour extended to Seoul and Singapore as the"Music Ambassador of Capital Tokyo" to its international acclaim.

(As of April 2010)