Mori was born in Murray, Utah; his parents emigrated to the United States from Japan.
He also served as President/CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) in Washington, D.C.
He is an author who has published a number of books, including The Japanese American Story As Told Through A Collection of Speeches and Articles.
[2] Mori then served in the California State Assembly from March 13, 1975, to November 30, 1980, and was a Democrat.
[3][4] In 2012, Mori received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in recognition of his contributions to the "improvement of the status of Japanese Americans, strengthening of economic relations between Japan and the United States, and the promotion of Japanese culture in the United States".