Young, up-and-coming Japanese conductor Nodoka Okisawa won first prize at the Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting earlier this month.
Launched in 1967, the competition has been held every three years and has developed into a competition that, in Asia, represents a gateway to global recognitions. Many former contestants are internationally active in conducting first-class orchestras. Since 2014, it has been a part of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.
This year was the first time since 2000 that a Japanese conductor won first prize, and the first time in the more than 50-year history of the competition, that a female conductor was awarded first-prize.