In Sazae-san, Saburō works for Mikawaya, a liquor shop. He is the shop’s goyōkiki and delivery man, who calls on households to take their orders. A Japanese character guide describes him as a likable young man. He is known as Sabu-chan.
He took over from an earlier Mikawaya employee, Sanpei, who married and returned to his family home in Yamagata.