A young woman from Uzbekistan has published a translation of a famous Japanese novel, inspired by her late grandfather's wish to deepen the friendship between the two countries.
Aminova Nodira, 26, took about two years to translate "Kokoro" ("Heart") by Meiji Era novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916). Her translation ran in the May issue of a monthly Uzbek magazine that introduces literature from around the world.
"I'm so happy because Japanese literature is not very well known back home," Nodira said during a recent interview in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, where she works as a company employee.