Kaoru Mori
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto Imperial University in March 1928 and joined the company that April. He became a Director in October 1946, Managing Director in November 1949 and Senior Managing Director in February 1951, and was appointed Executive Vice President in November 1959. Mori was the first of the company's presidents to have graduated in engineering, from the Department of Electrical Engineering. It took him 41 years from joining to become President, more than nine of them as Executive Vice President.
Selection
His predecessor was Yonezo Kobayashi, the founder's third son, and Mori became President in February 1969. Hankyu's executive changes were concentrated in May and November, so a February change of President fell outside the regular cycle. With Masashi Shimizu, Chairman since February 1968, remaining at the center of the group, Mori, Executive Vice President for nine years, moved up. It appears to have been an appointment to fill a seat that fell vacant mid-term.
Initiatives
From the year he took office, work on Umeda and through-services continued. Hankyu Sanbangai opened in November 1969, and through-service with the Osaka Municipal Subway Sakaisuji Line began that December. Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway began railway operations in February 1970, and the relocation and expansion of Osaka-Umeda Station, begun in February 1966, was completed in November 1973. In April of that same year the company changed its name to Hankyu Corporation. From August 1970 Mori also served as President of Kansai Telecasting.
Career
Career
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Representative Director, President |
| 1977 | Stepped down as President |