Who is Jane Takagi-Little from My Year of Meats and what is their importance?

Jane Takagi-Little is the daughter of a Japanese woman and an American father. Jane grew up in Minnesota but she moved to Japan as an adult to study the famous Japanese writer Shonagon. During her time in Japan, Jane met and married an African scholar. Their marriage was a good one until they began having trouble conceiving. In the end, they decided to split up. Jane has returned to New York to pursue her desired career as a documentarian. However, jobs have been scarce and Jane is struggling to meet the rent. When a friend from Japan calls to offer a job producing a Japanese reality show showcasing American housewives making beef-centered meals, Jane accepts.