In the anime White-Collar Worker Kintaro, Akemi Yajima is a pivotal figure whose presence is felt throughout the story, even though she dies before the main events begin. She is the first wife of the protagonist, Kintaro Yajima, and the mother of his son, Ryuta. Akemi is described as a kind woman who was blind or partially sighted. Her life with Kintaro marked a significant turning point for him, as meeting her and falling in love was the catalyst that led him to gradually leave behind his past as the leader of a powerful bōsōzoku motorcycle gang.

Akemi’s most significant role in the narrative comes from her death, which occurs while giving birth to Ryuta. On her deathbed, she extracted a promise from Kintaro that would define the rest of his life: she asked him to become a salaryman, a white-collar worker, and to raise their son in a stable and proper environment. This dying wish is the primary motivation that drives Kintaro to abandon his former life of delinquency and seek legitimate employment, leading him to the construction company Yamato Construction and the start of his unconventional corporate career. Her memory serves as a constant, guiding force for Kintaro, and his lingering grief for her surfaces at times, particularly when he encounters women who resemble her. As a result, Akemi is less an active character in the story and more a foundational piece of Kintaro's backstory, representing the love and loss that reshaped his entire personality and goals.