Looking at the points/questions raised in the second post, MrLapLap, on second reading seems (to me) to have preempted those also.

But do please realise that many of us have unfathonable relationships with our parents, for some they take on the role of the ultimate confidante and Akiko's father may have been supporting his daughter through her crisis in their own private and unique way (don't attempt to understand it, if you were party to my relationship with my mother you'd clearly see how futile it can be - family dynamics are usually bizarre to outsiders). Your own interpretation sounds equally valid, but I think MrLapLap is right, don't dwell on his presence at the meal, it isn't necessarily important.