Who is Akiko Ueno from My Year of Meats and what is their importance?

Akiko Ueno is a housewife in Japan. Akiko is the kind of woman that My American Wife! is designed for. Akiko watches the show faithfully every week, preparing the beef dishes after each show. Akiko finds the meals unappetizing. In fact, Akiko has found everything unappetizing since she was forced into marriage to Joichi Ueno, an ad executive that represents the same beef industry organization that produces My American Wife! Over time however, Akiko finds herself inspired by the families showcased on the show and she begins to yearn for the kind of life these women have.