Dear Michiko,

If you are reading this letter, it is because I have been overtaken by the event which I feared. You are too good a niece to be reading this otherwise.

Perhaps I have had a mortal accident, or a heart attack, or even been a victim of violence, like my friend Doi Takashi. In any case, my death must have been sudden and without warning, or else I would not now be asking you to undertake the following task.

You will find an envelope addressed to Itoh Minoru, plus two others. Itoh is an old friend, the Chairman of Kanto Camera Corporation. I include his address and private phone number.

You must go back to Japan with your aunt as soon as possible. Immediately on your return, contact Itoh and tell him that I asked you to see him on a matter of greatest urgency. Give him the other envelopes. He will know what to do after that.

Be very careful until you have met with Itoh. Tell no one what I have asked you to do. Show no one the contents of these envelopes. I am not easy with the thought that I may be putting you in danger, but you are the only one I can trust.

Take good care of your aunt. She will need your help. It has also made me very proud to have a niece who is so intelligent and pretty and good.

Your uncle Ichiro.