A confiscated notebook used to practice signing fake autographs is seen at the Metropolitan Police Department's Marunouchi Police Station in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Sept. 22, 2021. (Mainichi/Takuya Suzuki)

       TOKYO -- A Japan professional baseball fan has been arrested on suspicion of auctioning online a Yomiuri Giants uniform with a fake autograph claimed to be that of outfielder Yoshihiro Maru, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)'s living and economic affairs division announced Sept. 22.

       Sena Yagisawa, 24, a resident of Tokyo's Setagaya Ward who works in deliveries, was arrested by the MPD on suspicion of violating the Unfair Competition Prevention Act by inciting misconception.

       Among the items found at the home of Giants fan Yagisawa were uniforms, baseballs and paperboards sporting fake autographs by 87 players, including Maru, from 11 teams. A notebook he apparently used to practice signing fake autographs while comparing them with the signatures in a players' directory was also found.

       Yagisawa reportedly said: "I signed the autographs. I began putting them up for auction around 2017."

       By listing a uniform with a forged autograph on a Yahoo online auction with the description "Uniform with Yoshihiro Maru autograph" around July 30, 2020, Yagisawa allegedly misled people into believing it was genuine. The Giants won the listing for 12,500 yen (about $110) and found it to be bogus. It approached the MPD in August 2020 over the matter.

       Yagisawa, a university student at the time of the auction, has apparently admitted to the allegations, saying, "I wanted to support my living and tuition costs."

       (Japanese original by Makoto Kakizaki, Tokyo City News Department)

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