The group is considered Japan’s best and most innovative high school marching band. Until just several years ago — when the school began to admit boys — the band was made up entirely of girls.

The 12,269 participants at the May 11 spectacle earned the Guinness World Records’ title of “ largest marching band, ” surpassing the previous record set in 1997 of 11,157 people.

The group is considered Japan's best and most innovative high school marching band. Until just several years ago — when the school began to admit boys — the band was made up entirely of girls.

The group is considered Japan's best and most innovative high school marching band. Until just several years ago — when the school began to admit boys — the band was made up entirely of girls. This ...