Painting looted by Nazis during World War II returns to Poland from Japan

A priceless 16th-century Italian painting that was looted by Nazi Germany during World War II and discovered in Japan has been returned to Poland, authorities in Warsaw said Wednesday.

The “Madonna with Child” attributed to Alessandro Turchi, is the latest of some 600 looted artistic pieces that Poland has successfully repatriated.

More than 66,000 so-called war losses remain unaccounted for.

The painting was handed over during a ceremony at Poland's Embassy in Tokyo Wednesday.

Culture Minister Piotr Glinski told reporters in Warsaw that the baroque painting was on the Nazis' list of the 521 most valuable pieces of art among the tens of thousands of art items that they looted when they occupied Poland between 1939-45.

He said it was “not easy” to explain the history behind the looted works as well as the need for their return.