Banksy artwork 'discovered' in Tokyo as Japanese officials rush to verify graffiti

It has been procured for safe-keeping by government officials

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Japanese officials have claimed a new piece of graffiti discovered in Tokyo could be the work of Banksy.

The drawing bears a striking similarity to “Umbrella rat”, a former painting by the anonymous artist.

According to officials, the artwork has been on their radar for some time but only now do they believe it could have been drawn by Banksy after being contacted by local residents.

Yuriko Koike, the city’s Governor, called the artwork a possible “gift” to Tokyo.

The piece of art was found on a door near the Hinode monorail station in the centre of the city. It has now been removed and placed in storage for safe-keeping, a government official named Koji Sugiyama told AFP.

Officials are currently attempting to verify whether the graffiti was drawn by Banksy.

In the past, his artworks have sold for up to millions with a recent one, which appeared on a garage in Wales. recently going for an undisclosed sum that reached ”six figures”.