Nozaki, who made his fortune in lending and liquor wholesale, was a prominent figure in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. Known for often keeping large amounts of cash and precious metals at his home, he once stated in an interview, “This watch cost 4.5 million yen. I usually keep around 700 million yen at home.”
Following his sudden death from acute stimulant poisoning in 2018, a handwritten will written in red ink was discovered. The document read, “I bequeath all my personal assets to Tanabe City. Kosuke Nozaki.”
In 2020, Nozaki’s relatives filed a lawsuit contesting the validity of the will. They argued that the handwriting appeared unnatural and that there was no rational motive for Nozaki to donate his estate to the city.
However, in June of last year, the Wakayama District Court ruled that the handwriting bore characteristics unique to Nozaki and deemed the will valid. Dissatisfied with this decision, the relatives appealed, claiming the signature could have been traced from another document and forged.
On September 19th, the Osaka High Court dismissed the appeal, stating that while the signature resembled one on another document, this alone was insufficient to presume forgery. The court upheld the lower court’s finding that the will was valid.
Adding further complexity to the case is the circumstance of Nozaki’s death. His then 29-year-old wife was indicted for murder and other charges. However, in December last year, the Wakayama District Court acquitted her. Prosecutors have since appealed the acquittal, and the legal proceedings continue.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146957.php
