Japan: Tomato grower arrested for stealing cabbages

Last Thursday, in Aichi Prefecture, police arrested a tomato grower on suspicion of stealing some 160 Chinese cabbages from a nearby field. The price of these leafy vegetables has remained high in the country since late last year.

Ikuo Shiono, 40, is suspected of taking Chinese cabbage worth 80,000 yen (615 euros) on Jan 29 and 30 from a field in Toyohashi. Shiono has admitted to the allegation, saying he thought he could sell them at a high price if he took them to a market. According to the police he confessed being involved in three other Chinese cabbage thefts in the city, in January and February.

According to Japantoday.com, the police have found sales receipts for Chinese cabbages at Shiono's home and believe he took the stolen vegetables to a market within the city.

Prices of a number of common vegetables in Japan have soared due to autumn typhoons and a cold winter. As of late February, the prices of Chinese cabbage, cabbage and Japanese radish stood at more than twice than in an average year.

These prices are expected to remain high throughout March.