Japan woman with terminal cancer opens cafe, hires disabled staff to spread hope

A Japanese woman with terminal cancer opened a café in her final days to offer disabled people both work and hope.

Yukie Inoue, 54, was diagnosed with Stage Four cervical cancer in April 2022.

The cancer quickly spread to her lymph nodes and bones. The doctor informed her that it was too late for radiotherapy or surgery and estimated she had only 18 months left to live.

Nonetheless, Inoue chose to fight her cancer positively, contemplating the meaning of life: “How should I live the time I have left?”

Inoue’s niece, Miyu, who has Down syndrome, came to her mind.

She recalled that Miyu had always dreamed of working at a café since childhood but had struggled to find employment in that setting.