NCJC Interviews

We at the NC Japan Center are always on the lookout to perform interviews with people who are connected to the Japanese/American community in North Carolina and beyond! Please check back often as we’ll add more in the future!

If you have any ideas for interviews our community would find informative, educational, and enjoyable, please email Jonathan Brewster at jhbrewst@ncsu.edu.

Check out our interviews by clicking below!

January 24, 2023

Karl Warsop: Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing

We recently sat down with Mr. Karl Warsop, an NC State alumnus, former exchange student to Hiroshima Shudo University, and current Brewmaster at Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing in Hiroshima City. We talk about Karl’s path to Japan, how he got into the brewing industry, and why Hiroshima has a special place in his heart. Check out the… […]

November 15, 2022

President Sean Suggs: Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina

We had the wonderful opportunity recently to sit down with President Sean Suggs at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (“TBMNC”) – the $3.8 billion, 2,110-new-job-creating project and facility at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite in Liberty, NC. Join us as we learn more about this record investment in the state of North Carolina and its people, TBMNC’s… […]

September 15, 2022

Dr. Kyung Hee Ha: Dept. of Foreign Languages & Literatures

The NCJC was fortunate to catch a few minutes with Dr. Kyung Hee Ha, new Assistant Professor of Japanese Language and Culture in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at NC State. The post Dr. Kyung Hee Ha: Dept. of Foreign Languages & Literatures appeared first on NC Japan Center.

April 29, 2022

Lauren Zelek: Zelek International

The NC Japan Center recently sat down with Lauren Zelek, founder of ZI, an experiential travel company. Lauren has a deep connection and background with Japan, and launched ZI in 2017 to further strengthen our two nations through the art and science of travel. The company has come a long way since then and now… […]

January 28, 2022

Ayako Yasuda: Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta

The NC Japan Center was honored to speak with Consul Ayako Yasuda at the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta, which is responsible for supporting Japanese nationals in the southeastern United States and much more. Consul Yasuda discusses what a consular office does, the JET Program, and about her background in becoming a diplomat. (this interview… […]

December 13, 2021

Katsunori Kida, President and CEO of CBC AMERICA, LLC

The NC Japan Center was honored to sit down with Mr. Katsunori Kida, President & CEO of CBC AMERICA.CBC AMERICA is a very important member of North Carolina’s industry and local Japanese community. It is a subsidiary of CBC Group, headquartered in Tokyo. CBC Group “…encompass[es] a wide variety of fields ranging from chemicals, synthetic… […]

November 22, 2021

Interview with Morinaga America Foods, Inc.

We had the opportunity recently to sit down with Morinaga America Foods, Inc. and speak with President Toshiaki Fukunaga and GM of Engineering Lindsay Efland! Located in beautiful Mebane, NC, Morinaga America Foods produces and distributes the ever-popular and delicious HI-CHEW candy. Hear about Morinaga’s history, how Morinaga America Foods first came to Orange County,… […]

September 29, 2021

Interview with Emika Kawagishi (NC State Women’s Soccer)

The NC Japan Center was able to sit down recently with Emika Kawagishi – one of NC State Women’s Soccer’s newest student-athletes! We were honored to be a part of bringing her here to NC State and welcoming her to the Wolfpack! Join us as we learn more about her background, what she thinks of Raleigh and… […]

August 18, 2021

Interview with LiveDo USA

The NC Japan Center was fortunate to be able to spend some time with the President & COO of LiveDo USA, Ty Hishikawa. LiveDo USA has been in beautiful Wilson, North Carolina for 17 years, producing high-quality adult incontinence products (LiveDo was the very first company to produce “pull up” adult diapers). Check out the… […]

July 14, 2021

Interview with Nitta Gelatin

Do you know how important gelatin and collagen peptides are to our daily lives? The NC Japan Center was honored to recently sit down with Juergen Gallert (President & CEO, Nitta Gelatin NA) and Noriyuki Tsuji (VP of Operations, Nitta Gelatin NA), to speak about Nitta Gelatin, their products and markets, how they came to… […]