Yoshiko Mori, the founding chairperson of Tokyo's Mori Art Museum, died on December 23 from pneumonia at age 85. Alongside her husband, real estate developer Minoru Mori, she opened the museum in 2003, which has since become one of Japan's premier contemporary art institutions. Mori served as chairperson from 2003 to 2024, then as chairperson emerita until her death. She also founded the Mori Contemporary Art Foundation in 2025 and held numerous international board positions, including trustee at the Royal Academy of Arts and member of the International Council at MoMA and Tate.
Mori's death marks the loss of a pivotal figure in the global contemporary art world, particularly for Japanese and Asia-Pacific art. Her leadership helped establish the Mori Art Museum as a major venue for cutting-edge exhibitions and a platform for both emerging and established artists. Her philanthropic work and institutional roles across London, New York, and Tokyo strengthened cross-cultural ties and elevated the visibility of contemporary art from the region. Her legacy endures through the museum and foundation she built.