While in Japan one evening, Yasuko suffered a sudden rupture of an aneurysm, causing massive bleeding in her brain. There was extensive brain damage, and her life hung on a very thin thread for many months to come. Due to the healthcare system in Japan, Yasuko was moved from hospital to hospital every few months, until she was admitted to a hospital in Yugawara permanently. Her husband Muneharu made it his mission to care for her, and from the day of her collapse, he visited her every single day, no matter where or how far the hospital was. Yasuko could not move, eat, or speak at will, although she seemed to respond to those around her through blinking her eyes. Muneharu truly dedicated himself to caring for her - talking to her, playing her favorite music, massaging her, moving around her limbs, wiping her with hot towels, etc, during his daily visits. In hope of her recovery, no matter how slight it may be, he never missed a day, year after year, even though he did not get a real response back from her. Julie worried that he could not possibly go on in this manner. Not surprisingly, in 2007, Muneharu's health took a turn for the worse, and he was now hospitalized due to multiple complications of conditions. Yasuko had been very stable for a few years, but not too long after Muneharu's visits to Yasuko stopped, she took a turn for the worse, and passed away suddenly. The doctors recommended not to tell Muneharu of Yasuko's passing, fearing that the news will cause irreparable damage to his critical condition. Although Julie decided to keep the information from Muneharu, 3 months later, he quickly passed away, as if his soul already knew of Yasuko's departure and followed to be with her.