Hisaishi began his career as a contemporary music composer and started to develop his unique style in minimal music when he graduated from conservatory in Japan. His career as a solo artist began with the presentation of MKWAJU in 1981 and the release of his first album Information in 1982. Since his debut, Hisaishi has released nearly 40 solo albums. The first CD A Symphonic Celebration released from Deutsche Grammophon (2023) hit the first prize on US Billboard Classical Albums & Classical Crossover Albums Chart twice.
From Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) to The Boy and the Heron (2023), Hisaishi has produced music for Hayao Miyazaki films. He has collaborated on the music production of over 80 films at home and abroad, and his works have won many awards including several Outstanding Achievement in Music prizes of Japan Academy Film Prize, and the Winsor McCay Award at the 51st Annie Awards in 2024.
In 2004, he took on the position of Principal Music Director of the New Japan Philharmonic “World Dream Orchestra”. Since 2014, he has been working as a producer and holding contemporary music concerts called “MUSIC FUTURE”. He also started leading a concert series “Future Orchestra Classics” in 2019 and released Beethoven: Complete Symphonies that was given “Special Prize” from 57th Record Academy Award Japan. The world tour "Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki", which he started in 2017, had sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden, New York over 3 nights, La Défense in Paris, Wembley Arena in London, Olympic Hall in Munich, and other venues.
In recent years, Hisaishi has also conducted classical music and composed contemporary works such as Symphony No. 2 (2021), Metaphysica (Symphony No. 3) (2021) and Viola Saga for Orchestra (2023). His Harp Concerto, commissioned mainly by Los Angeles Philharmonic, received its world premiere in November 2024. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists including Philip Glass, David Lang, Mischa Maisky, and orchestra such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others. In October 2023, he performed with the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra at the Macau International Music Festival and received significant success.
He is the Composer-in-Association of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from April 2024, and the Music Director with Japan Century Symphony Orchestra starting from April 2025.

Established in 1989 as the orchestra of Osaka Prefecture, It gained independence from the prefecture in 2011 and was reorganized as the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra. Based in Osaka Prefecture's Toyonaka City, It celebrated its 35th anniversary in December 2024.
From April 2025, HISAISHI Joe becomes as its Music Director, and AKIYAMA Kazuyoshi as Music Advisor. The orchestra actively engages in Symphony Subscription Concerts held at The Symphony Hall, and the "Toyonaka Masterpiece Series" at the Toyonaka Municipal Cultural and Arts Center, serving as a partner orchestra. Renowned for its meticulous ensemble and high-level performances, it has earned profound trust from musicians. In addition to concerts, including commissioned performances, chamber music concerts, school performances, and ensembles, the orchestra conducts over 200 events annually. Live recordings from the Haydn Marathon, such as "Haydn Symphony Collection Vol.1," and collaborative works with IIMORI Norichika, such as have been selected as special editions by “Record Geijutsu” Magazine, and the orchestra has received the Osaka Prefectural Cultural Festival Encouragement Award twice (2015 and 2018), reflecting its high acclaim. In October 2024, the Orchestra was participated in the 35th Macau International Music Festival under conducted by HISAISHI, and it was first overseas performance in 11 years.
The orchestra actively participates in various forms of concerts beyond serious music genres, garnering enthusiastic attention from diverse audiences. Educational programs for the next generation, such as the Orchestra Experience Concert "Touch the Orchestra," concerts for schools of disabled students.