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.

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.

Shigenori Kobayashi President
The Mori Memorial Foundation

COUNCILORS

Yasushi Aoyama
Professor, Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University

Yuichiro Anzai
CEO, the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
Senior Advisor, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Toshio Ojima
Professor Emeritus, Waseda University

Haruhiko Goto
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University

Norihiro Nakai
Professor, Department of Architecture and Building Engineering School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Hiroo Mori
Executive Vice President, Mori Building Co., Ltd.

DIRECTORS

President
Shigenori Kobayashi
Emeritus Professor of Yokohama National University

Senior Executive Managing Director
Susumu Satomi

Executive Director
Hiroo Ichikawa
Professor Emeritus, Meiji University
Professor, Teikyo University

Director
Takayuki Kishii
President, the Institute of Behavioral Sciences (IBS)

Director
Isoya Shinji
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president
Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president

Director
Heizo Takenaka
Professor Emeritus, Keio University

Director
Shingo Tsuji
President and CEO, Mori Building Co., Ltd.

Director
Miki Muraki
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Urban Environment Systems,
Chiba University

Auditor
Naofumi Takeuchi
Chair of the board, Urban Regeneration　and Land Readjustment Association

Auditor
Michio Matsukawa
Advisor, Mori Building Co., Ltd.