Nozaki, who made his fortune in lending and liquor wholesale, was a prominent figure in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture. He was known for often keeping large amounts of cash and precious metals at his home. In a past interview, he remarked, “This watch cost 4.5 million yen. I usually keep around 700 million yen at home.”
After his sudden death from acute stimulant poisoning in 2018, a handwritten will in red ink was discovered. The will stated, “I bequeath all my personal assets to Tanabe City. Kosuke Nozaki.”
In 2020, his relatives filed a lawsuit contesting the validity of the document. They argued that the handwriting was unnatural and claimed there was no rational motive for Nozaki to donate his estate to the city.
However, the Wakayama District Court ruled in June of last year that the handwriting exhibited characteristics unique to Nozaki and judged the will to be valid.
Dissatisfied with this ruling, the relatives appealed the decision, asserting that the signature could have been traced from another document and forged.
In its ruling on September 19th, the Osaka High Court dismissed the appeal. The court stated that although the signature resembled one on another document, this alone was not sufficient grounds to presume forgery. The court upheld the lower court’s finding that the will was valid.
The case is further complicated by the circumstances surrounding Nozaki’s death. His then 29-year-old wife was indicted on charges of murder and other offenses but was acquitted by the Wakayama District Court in December last year. Prosecutors have since appealed the acquittal, prolonging the legal proceedings.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146957.php
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