Joe Hisaishi was born in Nagano (Japan). His interest in minimal music began while he was studying at the Kunitachi College of Music. His career as a solo artist began with the release of his first album Information in 1982. Since his debut, Hisaishi has released nearly 40 solo albums, including MinimalRhythm (2009), Melodyphony (2010), and the most recent, MinimalRhythm 4 (2021).

From the early 1980s, Hisaishi made a name for himself as a film music composer. He worked closely with anime director Hayao Miyazaki, for whom he composed 10 film scores, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke  (1997), and The Wind Rises (2013). He also gained international fame through his music for the films by Takeshi Kitano, such as Kids Return (1997) and HANA-BI (1998). Overall, he was involved in the music production of over 80 films worldwide. His works have received many awards. Hisaishi received the Japanese Academy Award for Best Music seven times.

Hisaishi is also in demand as a pianist and orchestra conductor. In July 2004, he took on the position of principal music director of the New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra. His concert series JOE HISAISHI presents MUSIC FUTURE and Future Orchestra Classics brought him great popularity. For several years, Hisaishi has also conducted classical music and composed contemporary works such as The East Land Symphony (2016), The Border Concerto for 3 Horns and Orchestra (2020), and Symphony No. 2 (2021).

Hisaishi has worked with a variety of artists including Philip Glass, David Lang, and Mischa Maisky, as well as with notable orchestras such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and London Symphony Orchestra. He is visiting professor at Kunitachi College of Music, composer-in-residence with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and principal guest conductor with the Japan Century Orchestra. In 2009, he was awarded the Medal of Honor with the Purple Ribbon, an award of merit from the Japanese government. His unique contribution to contemporary music and his continued creativity in musical pursuits are highly valued around the world.