Sour grapes: Japan battles to protect premium fruits

A vendor selling fruits including Shine Muscat grapes at a market in Hong Kong. According to Japan's government, China and South Korea took Shine Muscat seedlings out of Japan and then grafted them onto local vines to produce fruit that looks and tastes -- almost -- as good. - AFP

UEDA, Japan (AFP): The variety of juicy grape that Yuki Nakamura is harvesting as the sun rises over his farm took scientists 33 years to develop and can sell for $100 a bunch in Tokyo department stores.

But in the view of Japanese farmers and officials, the chunky emerald-green Shine Muscat, one of many fruit varieties created by Japan, has been "stolen" by China and South Korea.