ABOUT MMF
The Mori Memorial Foundation is committed to engaging in comprehensive research and publication activities in the urban renewal and development fields in order to create ideal urban environments that lead to sustainable life for all.

ABOUT MMF
MISSION
Japanese cities are entering a new phase in their evolution. They are gradually “maturing,” after a long period of growth and expansion.
Cities in different developmental phases require different approaches in city creation: specifically cities in a “growth” phase must focus on the physical development of urban space, but those in a “maturing” phase need to pay attention to the practice of urban management.
Cities in maturing phase face a plethora of emergent urban issues. Many Japanese cities are tackling the issue of a decreasing and aging population, seeking to respond to the growing demands to shrink existing urban areas and renovate older infrastructure. In order to address these fundamental changes and enhance the cities’ global competitiveness, public-private partnership has become a key approach in city creation.
Cities in a maturing phase may enjoy rich cultural diversity. Diverse actors and cultural resources provide them with immeasurable possibilities for evolution.
In view of such changes, Japanese cities may play a unique role in urban growth in Asia. They should define their own mission in Asia and seek to contribute to the enhancement of energy and environment in the region.
Since its inception, the Mori Memorial Foundation has engaged in the study of city creation and disseminated its knowledge to the public. As we continue to expand our research scope, it is our wish to explore various visions and strategies for constructing highly sustainable and attractive cities in Japan.
OVERVIEW
- Date of Establishment
July 1981
- Change to New Institutional System
October 2012
- Objectives
This foundation was established to contribute to the steady and sustainable enhancement of the lives of the citizens of Japan by promoting the formation of an attractive and nurturing urban environment through a variety of activities including undertaking comprehensive research in urban redevelopment and the improvement of the city environment, fostering human resources, and providing information.
- Activities and Projects
- Independent research related to the development of concepts and planning for urban redevelopment and urban environment improvement.
- Publication/distribution of books and other printed materials, and the organization and holding of lectures, seminars, etc.
- Other activities include any work or operations necessary to accomplish the objectives of the abovementioned.
- President
Shigenori Kobayashi
LIST OF DIRECTORS ANDCOUNCILORS
COUNCILORS
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Professor, Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University
Yasushi Aoyama
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Professor Emeritus, Keio University Senior Advisor, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Yuichiro Anzai
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Professor Emeritus, Waseda University
Toshio Ojima
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Senior Executive Vice President, Waseda University Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Haruhiko Goto
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Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Norihiro Nakai
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Executive Vice President, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
Hiroo Mori
DIRECTORS
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Chairman, Institute for Urban Development
Shigenori Kobayashi
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Senior Executive Managing Director
Susumu Satomi
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Executive Director
Hiroo Ichikawa
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Director
Kishii Takayuki
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president
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Director
Isoya Shinji
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president
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Heizo Takenaka
Chairman Institute for Urban Strategies
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Director
Shingo Tsuji
President and CEO, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
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Director
Miki Muraki
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Urban Environment Systems, Chiba University
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Auditor
Naofumi Takeuchi
Chair of the board, Urban Regeneration and Land Readjustment Association
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Auditor
Michio Matsukawa
Advisor, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
ABOUT INSTITUTE
FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Since its inception, the Institute for Urban Development has coordinated numerous research projects on the world’s cities. Research ranges from basic analyses of selected urban areas, to studies on possible institutional approaches to maintain the wellness of the areas, and even the construction of strategies for enhanced urban development. Published research reports from the various projects undertaken are available.
As large cities in Japan have evolved from the development-oriented “growth phase” to the management-focused “maturity phase,” the conventional research and planning approaches have become insufficient. Cities in the maturity phase will face social, economic, and infrastructural needs different from those in the previous phase.
It is one of the missions of the Institute for Urban Development to work to develop an extensive research network to address these fundamental changes.
Researchers
ABOUT INSTITUTEFOR URBAN STRATEGIES
The Institute for Urban Strategies (IUS) at the Mori Memorial Foundation undertakes “research of urban strategies” at a wide range of fields, including society and the economy, etc, which goes beyond the framework of urban engineering from not just a domestic perspective but a global perspective as well.
Since its establishment in 2008, the Global Power City Index (GPCI) has been the basis of our research activities and from that we identify urban policy issues. In addition to the analysis of GPCI, our research has expanded to include analysis at both the inner-city level and the metropolitan area level.
We also conduct research on urban strategy and policy as well as the future vision for global cities starting from Tokyo. Recently, we have expanded our activities to commissioned research from public and private sectors as a policy think tank for overall urban strategy issues.
Yennan U
Haruko Isogaya
Peter Dustan
Yuko Hamada
Shingo Inoue
Norio Yamato
Researcher
Momoko Iwai
Vice Chief Researcher
Yoshiyuki Ishii
Researcher
Masaki Yamasaki
Chief Researcher
Yumi Taga
Auditor
Michio Matsukawa
Advisor, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
Auditor
Naofumi Takeuchi
Chair of the board, Urban Regeneration and Land Readjustment Association
Director
Miki Muraki
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Urban Environment Systems, Chiba University
Director
Shingo Tsuji
President and CEO, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
Director
Isoya Shinji
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president
Director
Kishii Takayuki
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president
Senior Executive Managing Director
Susumu Satomi
Executive Vice President, Mori Building Co., Ltd.
Hiroo Mori
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Norihiro Nakai
Senior Executive Vice President, Waseda University Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Haruhiko Goto
Professor Emeritus, Waseda University
Toshio Ojima
Professor Emeritus, Keio University Senior Advisor, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Yuichiro Anzai
Professor, Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University
Yasushi Aoyama
Chief Researcher
Tamami Yamanaka
- Area of Expertise
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- Urban Redevelopment
- Culture, Creative Industry
- Architectural Design
- Overseas Cities
- Academic Background
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Graduate School of Urban Engineering, University of Tokyo
- Education
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Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager
- Current Projects in Charge
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- London Survey
- Research for Tokyo Brand
- Professional and Academic Experiences
Senior Chief Resarcher
Yasutaka Sonoda
- Area of Expertise
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- Urban Redevelopment
- Urban Planning
- Area Management
- Academic Background
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- Bachelor of Engineering in Administration Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University
- Master of Engineering in Administration Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Keio University
- Education
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Registered Real Estate Transaction Manager
- Other Affiliations
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- The City Planning Institute of Japan
- Japan Area Management Network
- Current Projects in Charge
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A Study of Urban Development Systems that Incorporate Sustainability: Area Management Research and Other Topics
- Professional and Academic Experiences
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- “Planning-Oriented” Urban Development by New York City -Challenges for Regenerating Tokyo-
- Visitors to Tokyo – Movement and de facto population in the Tokyo 40 km area (estimates and analysis)
- Making Tokyo’s Open Spaces More Enjoyable – Rating the Appeal of 108 Privately Owned Public Spaces in Tokyo –
- Livable Towns for Active Seniors: A Comparison of Tokyo’s 23 Wards
- A Bicycle Friendly Town
- Industry in Minato ward
- Foreign enterprises in Minato ward
- Foreign nationals in Minato ward
- Tokyo “Clear Channels” Concept
- Selects Publications
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- 「Area Management: Effects and Funding Sources 」(Gakugei Shuppansha, 2020)
- 「Area Management to Enhance the Value of the Community」 (Gakugei Shuppansha, 2018)
Executive Director
Hiroo Ichikawa
- Area of Expertise
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Urban Policy, Risk Management, Urban and Regional Planning
- Academic Background
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- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
- Graduate School, Waseda University
- Graduate School, University of Waterloo
- Education
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Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning
- Other Affiliations
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- Professor Emeritus, Meiji University
- Professor, Teikyo University
- Executive Director of Japan Emergency Management Association
- President of Japan Institute of Emergency Managers
- Vice Chairman of Association for Creating Japan’s Future
- Board Member of Association for Tokyo Urban-Core Rejuvenation
- President of Japan Rescue Dog Association
- Selects Publications
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- How Much Will the Tokyo Olympics Revitalize Japan? (KADOKAWA, 2013)
- Future Urban Strategy (Toyo Keizai, 2012)
- The Real Reason Why a New Station Will Be Built on the Yamanote Line (Toshishuppan, 2012)
- Lessons from Japanese Disaster (Toyo Keizai, 2011)
- Global Front Tokyo: Achieving its World-leading Status (Toshishuppan, 2008)
- Urban Space as Culture (Chikura Publishing, 2007)
Chairman, Institute for Urban Development
Shigenori Kobayashi
- Area of Expertise
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Urban Planning
- Academic Background
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Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- Education
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Doctor of Engineering
- Other Affiliations
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- Former Chairman, The City Planning Institute of Japan
- Former Chairman, Japan Area Management Network
- Former Chairman, NPO OMY Area Management Association
- Honorary Vice Chairman, Urban Renewal Association of Japan
Heizo Takenaka
Chairman Institute for Urban Strategies
- Area of Expertise
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Economic Policy
- Academic Background
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Faculty of Economics, Hitotsubashi University
- Education
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Ph.D. in Economics
- Other Affiliations
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- Professor Emeritus, Keio University
- Director of Academyhills
- Selects Publications
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- The Economics of Research Development and Capital Investment (Toyo Keizai, 1984)
- The True Story of Japan’s Structural Reform (Nikkei, 2006)
- Matrix Study (Gentosha, 2008)
- 経済古典は役に立つ (Kobunsha, 2010)

