A COURT convicted a man who stole more than 200kg of spring onions from a rival farmer after record summer heat ruined his own crops, local media reported.
As he stood trial last month, the 28-year-old former farmer reportedly blamed the hot summer for his lacklustre harvest.
But the Kyoto District Court called the theft of produce worth around ¥200,000 (RM5,700) in August and September “malicious”, local broadcaster Kansai TV said.
The court found “no extenuating circumstances” in his decision to “steal from a competitor and make up for lost revenue caused by unfavourable weather conditions”, Kansai TV said.
The man – who has retired from agriculture since the theft – was handed a prison term of two years, suspended for three years, according to the broadcaster.
Japan’s summer this year was the joint hottest on record – equalling the level seen in 2023 – as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe. — AFP
