Japanese tonkatsu eatery shrinks vegetable serving as climate change cooks up 'cabbage shock'

The 2024 record summer heat and heavy rain ruined crops, driving up the cost of cabbage. - AFP

TOKYO: Japan's much-loved "tonkatsu" pork cutlets come with a mound of freshly shredded cabbage, but a surge in the price of the humble vegetable has prompted chef Katsumi Shinagawa to skimp on servings.

The culprit is a changing climate. Last year's record summer heat and heavy rain ruined crops, driving up the cost of the leafy green in what media have dubbed a "cabbage shock".