Tsutomu told Variety they were able to trace some of the relatives of Toku, 72, in Japan.
But they are not her close relatives,” he said.
Her relatives in Japan didn’t want to accept Toku’s body, so they decided to bury it in Saipan, the consul said.
“She had no child and her husband already died,” the consul added.
Based on records, Toku had been on Saipan for more than 40 years. Her husband died a decade ago.
Rose DLG Mondala, Office on Aging director, said she was surprised by the number of people who attended the funeral.
“I was not expecting this large number,” she told Variety.
More than 25 vehicles accompanied the hearse from CHC to the cemetery.
Japanese nationals, senior citizens and friends of Toku were among those who attended the funeral.
Loly Sablan, operation manager of the defunct Saipan Tourist Services, said Toku was her former employee.
“She was an excellent worker. Very punctual and always smiling,” she said.
Lydia Babauta who knew Toku and her husband said they used to work at the Herman’s Bakery.
“She’s not a tourist,” she clarified.
The couple, she said, later established their own bakeshop in San Jose.
When her husband died, Toku was employed as a tourist guide, Babauta said.
Gina Cawaling, Toku’s neighbor in San Antonio, said the senior citizen lived a simple life in a rented room.
“We took care of her and sometimes gave her basic needs,” Cawaling said.
Tsutomu said his office is now verifying if there is a similar case in the CNMI.
“We’re trying to find out if we have other Japanese nationals who also live alone here without family,” he said.
“It’s just unfortunate for Sudo.”
