Japan’s foreign minister plays ‘Imagine’ on John Lennon’s piano at Liverpool G7 summit

Japan’s foreign minister delighted G7 foreign ministers with a spontaneous rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine at The Beatles Story permanent exhibition in Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

Harvard University graduate Yoshimasa Hayashi, who is known for his love of music and also plays the guitar, formed a band called Gi!nz in the 90s with other politicians and released a CD in 2005 to raise funds for bone marrow donations.

The tour of Liverpool’s The Beatles Story included viewing a replica of John Lennon’s piano and Mr Hayashi could not resist.

"There was a piano, and someone said, ‘Anyone can sit there and play,’ so I played ‘Imagine’ on the spot," Hayashi told reporters, according to Japan Today.

It is not known if the foreign minister sang any karaoke Beatles songs on the mini Cavern Club stage at the exhibition.

Mr Hayashi’s ‘special moment’

Mary Chadwick, The Beatles Story General Manager, said: “We were thrilled for The Beatles Story to be chosen as one of the main hosting venues in the G7 summit’s weekend programme in Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles.

“The foreign ministers were given the opportunity to tour our award-winning attraction during which Mr Hayashi delighted the delegates with an impromptu performance of ‘Imagine’ on our replica John Lennon white piano. It was a special moment for everyone attending and we think John Lennon would have been very impressed by his piano playing.”