[tmm84]

The whole countryside vegetable stall blew me away when I first to Japan but now I love it. Just grab, leave the cash in the box and go. Most of the time the vegetables there aren't prime targets so stealing a bundle of spinach is probably not worth your freedom or time.

I believe the reason for it has more to do with the JA not allowing commercial sale of produce that isn't perfect and some farmers just seeing if spare change can be had. In a neighborhood next to mine some families have farm plots next to them and they sell vegetables from their drive way. It is interesting to say the least.