In January of 2011, Takashi Takizawa, a 77-year-old former executive of the Yamaguchi-gumi, is alleged to have asked the victim to hand over the piece, an etching from the painting “The Battle of San Romano” worth approximately 10 million yen, while inside a car in Chiyoda Ward.
Takizawa has reportedly denied the allegations, telling police the painting is a fake.
The suspect and the victim became acquainted 30 years ago. The suspect has also extorted a painting by Marc Chagall and a luxury automobile from the victim, who later consulted with the Machida Police Station about severing the relationship with the suspect.
