For decades, WMC has had a strong connection with the wind music culture of Japan. In the 70-year history of WMC, we regularly find orchestras from Japan participating in the competitions or gala concerts. This time the stage will be set for the Osakan Philharmonic Winds. This top professional wind orchestra is led by their chief conductor Tomo Matsuo and is known as one of the best professional wind orchestras in Japan. The program includes original Japanese works for wind bands and symphonic transcriptions. In recent years, the orchestra has recorded nearly 100 Japanese works on CD. Their mission? To make more people on the other side of the world familiar with Japanese composers and their works for wind band.