Who is Naomi Uemura from The Crystal Horizon Everest-the First Solo Ascent and what is their importance?

Naomi Uemura is a well-known Japanese alpinist who gets permission to attempt a solo climb of Everest in the winter of 1980. News of this plan prompts Messner to move up his plans for a solo attempt to the monsoon season in August of 1980, so he can beat Uemura to the summit. Later, Uemura's solo attempt fails.