A Japanese court on Thursday convicted a former farmer for stealing over 200 kilogrammes of spring onions from a rival farmer after record summer heat destroyed his crops, according to local media.
The 28-year-old man, who stood trial last month, attributed his poor harvest to extreme weather conditions. However, the Kyoto District Court described the theft of produce valued at 200,000 yen ($1,300) as "malicious", Kansai TV reported.
The court rejected the defendant's justification, stating that his decision to steal from a competitor to offset financial losses caused by adverse weather lacked "extenuating circumstances".
The former farmer, who retired from agriculture following the incident, received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, the broadcaster added.
This summer marked Japan's hottest on record, matching temperatures recorded in 2023. Prolonged heatwaves impacted regions across the globe, with Japan's iconic Mount Fuji losing its snowcap for the longest duration ever, appearing only in early November instead of the usual early October.
