Foreign thieves likely behind stolen Japan bonsai amid boom abroad

The soaring popularity of bonsai abroad has spurred a recent spate of thefts of the aesthetic plants across Japan for sale outside the country, with signs of foreign involvement.Exports of bonsai, or miniaturized trees and other plants cultivated as a traditional Japanese art, have risen in recent years thanks to increased interest in Japan and relaxed restrictions. But the prized plants, often raised outdoors in pots, are especially susceptible to being stolen."Recently all anyone talks about in the industry is theft. It's unbearable," said Tatsuharu Takeshita, 72, who works at bonsai sell…READ FULL ARTICLE