> If it's made-up, it's a trite and rather artless attempt to yank at your heartstrings.

Should we consider all fiction works in this way?

If it's a trite and artless attempt to yank at your heartstrings, sure. The difference is, fiction declares itself as fiction so you can judge it on its merits as such. This thing would not get a single repost nor an iota of internet attention if it announced itself as fiction. Comparisons to Murakami notwithstanding, it's terrible fiction.

Does it always "declare itself"? What about Wells' War Of The Worlds?

I enjoyed the Coen brothers tweaking of this convention with their fake "The events depicted in this film took place in Minnesota in 1987. At the request of the survivors, the names have been changed. Out of respect for the dead, the rest has been told exactly as it occurred" declaration.

But they caused the death of that Japanese woman that went looking for the money.

Perhaps it matters to YOU whether it's real or not. But people are different.