Japan's government announced on June 8 that seed samples of a new hybrid citrus variety developed in Ehime Prefecture are believed to have been stolen and illegally exported to China. Seedlings of the variety are currently being offered for sale on the Chinese market.
This citrus hybrid, a specially bred product developed over several years by researchers in Ehime Prefecture, boasts high quality and a unique flavor. The Ehime Prefectural government and Japanese authorities are investigating the incident and coordinating with Chinese counterparts to curb the infringement of plant-breeding rights.
This is not the first time Japan has faced such an issue. High-quality grape and strawberry varietals have also been stolen and exported abroad. The case poses a challenge to Japan's plant variety protection system, with potential economic losses reaching billions of yen.
