Japan's Kazuki Yamada on Saturday took the top prize at the 51st International Competition for Young Conductors held as part of France's Besancon Music Festival.
"I am very happy to win this prize as have my mentors Seiji Ozawa and Yoko Matsuo," said Yamada, 30, who was competing in Besancon for the second time.
He was chosen over fellow countryman Tomohiro Seyama and Bulgaria's Rossen Gergov to pick up the 12,000-euro (17,650-dollar) prize at one of the top conducting competitions in the world.
Yamata, who was one of 20 competitors from 14 nations, also picked up the prize voted on by the public.
In addition to the prize money, Yamata now has invitations to conduct 15 orchestras in Europe, Asia and the United States, said the organisers.
