The son of Taikichiro Mori who founded Mori Building in 1959, Akira Mori was born in Tokyo. He attended Keio University, and after graduating in 1960 he joined Yasuda Trust & Banking, which is now part of Mizuho Trust & Banking. In 1972 he joined his father’s company Mori Building.

When his father died in 1993, Akira and his brother Minoru Mori took over the running of the family business. However after a difference of opinion they split the company in 1999. Akira Mori formed and headed up Mori Trust, while his brother continued to run Mori Building. His brother died in 2012.

Mori Trust owns, operates and manages more than 1450 buildings both residential and office, in most of the major Japanese cities. Many are in Tokyo including the Tokyo Shiodome Building and Conrad Tokyo.
Akira Mori’s daughter Miwako Date was appointed president and co-CEO of Mori Trust in 2016, with Akira moving to Chairman of the Board. In recent years the firm’s interests have expanded overseas. They announced 20% of new investment would be outside Japan, and they have recently purchased several buildings in the U.S. including 3 in Silicon Valley.