Well Meaning Translator

I love this character. He doesn't speak a lick of Japanese, but is willing to act as translator, first for the money and to be helpful, but then because he catches the vision of what Takata, the protagonist, is trying to accomplish.

When adopting in Vietnam, my translator was a student who couldn't speak English very well. We were in a world of hurt because our ten day trip ultimately turned into six weeks and for some of that time the twins were taken from us inexplicably. My translator and I would sit face to face with dictionaries in hand and using everything in us would try to communicate. He became my advocate and friend.