Together they had a son, Boonthan Janthaseema, now a retired teacher.
After the war ended, Hityo was flown back to his home country
Kaew never heard from him again. It is not clear if Hityo is still living
Kaew's love life received attention far and wide after Japanese and other foreign media came to the village and interviewed her. Kaew's vivid account of her life with Hityo and their wartime relationship became material for films. Foreign film-makers approached her to appear in movies on her experience.
In Japan, Kaew was widely known and her life reached the ears of the emperor who gave her a sake cup as a souvenir. The cup was hand-delivered to Kaew at her home.
Hers was a story that drew parallels with the popular tragic love novel Koo Gam which was made and remade into smash-hit soap operas and movies.
Mae Hong Son governor Narumol Palawat said provincial authorities would sponsor Kaew's funeral.
The governor said the province had planned to invite her to preside over the opening of a new Japanese museum in Khun Yuam.