Alarmed by an investment proposal by a developer, the city of Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, has decided to purchase and turn into a public park an estate of Eijiro Ono, grandfather of artist Yoko Ono and former president of the Industrial Bank of Japan, the predecessor of Mizuho Bank.
The city is also considering building a memorial hall on the premises to commemorate contributions to world peace by Yoko Ono and John Lennon, her late husband, officials said.
According to the city, Eijiro Ono (1864-1927) grew up and lived in the house until he left to attend Doshisha English School, the present-day Doshisha University, in Kyoto Prefecture.