"I'm ready to die anytime" - 89-year-old heavy smoker and former landlady's "eye for people" has not faded. Memories of the unique residents encountered by a nursing home staff member

"Look, there's someone over there," said Mine Ito, who was in a wheelchair, pointing toward the field. It happened at a group home in Fukiage Town. After dinner, she was smoking a cigarette at the entrance to the facility. Her sudden words left me in awe. "Where...