Procedures officially kicked off Monday for a March 9 referendum in Toyosato, Shiga Prefecture, on whether to oust the mayor over his aborted attempt to raze a historic school building in the face of strong public opposition.
Built in 1937, the art deco structure was designed by American architect William Merrell Vories, who was also a prominent missionary and entrepreneur.
Many residents of the town have been seeking to preserve the structure, which at the time of its completion was reportedly touted as "the best school building in Asia."
Mayor Wasaburo Ono, however, is pushing for construction of a new building, saying the old one is no longer earthquake-safe.