Sasebo 2016: A Summer Day in the Life of Matsumoto Yong

In the summer of 2016, in Sasebo, Matsumoto Yong was buying fruits and vegetables at the market as usual and then riding his bike back home. However, due to the drizzle that had started since early morning, he had to hold a transparent umbrella with one hand and grip the handlebars with the other. While trying to avoid a stray kitten at an intersection, he lost his balance and fell to the ground, but fortunately only sustaining a minor injury to his palm. Matsumoto Yong's small bungalow was located in front of a small shop and behind it was where he, his wife Yamamoto, and their son Matsumoto Hiroshi lived. The Sasebo Municipal Okubo Elementary School was just one street away. Initially, the shop only sold fruits and small toys, but later expanded to include Western-style breakfast, lunch boxes, and desserts. Yamamoto always felt that it was easier to make money from children than adults, but she never said it out loud.