Resources

Office of Global Engagement

The NC Japan Center’s parent organization at NC State, the Office of Global Engagement, is responsible for all NC State internationalization efforts, including global education, research, and partnerships. The Office of Global Engagement is NC State’s window to the world, and brings the world to NC State.

Study Abroad

Study Abroad at NC State University, under the Office of Global Engagement, will point you in the right direction for studying abroad. They provide a wide range of opportunities for students who want to study abroad.

Bushiken Karate Saint-Cyr Dojo

Bushiken Karate Saint-Cyr Dojo offers traditional Japanese Karate classes for adults and children—starting at age 3. The classes are challenging, fun, and help students to both get in shape and to learn self-defense. Free trials are available for first-timers.

Please contact the dojo if you are interested in scheduling a trial class, or stop by to speak with Sensei Marvin Saint-Cyr outside of class times. “Osu!”

Ikenobo Ikebana Blue Ridge Chapter

The Blue Ridge chapter of the “Ikenobo” style of “Ikebana”—Japanese flower arranging—consists of individuals who are at all levels of study, from novice to professors of Ikenobo. The Blue Ridge chapter members all learn together about the beautiful art of Ikebana through studying with “sensei”’s (instructors), workshops with visiting professors, and through demonstrations of styles, as well as practicing these styles at their monthly meetings.

The main instructor and chapter advisor is Mrs. Emiko Suzuki, and she teaches ikebana workshops at the NC Japan Center on a regular basis. Please contact us for more information!

Japan-America Society of North Carolina

The Japan-America Society of North Carolina (JASNC) is a nonprofit organization for individuals and corporations with an interest in Japan and US-Japan relations. We differentiate ourselves as a membership organization which represents individuals, businesses and other groups to promote a greater understanding and networking between Americans and Japanese through cultural events, public affairs, and educational programs across North Carolina. In fostering mutual understanding between the two nations, JASNC serves as a resource for exchanging knowledge and ideas.

Japanese Language School of Raleigh

The Japanese Language School of Raleigh (JLSR) is an organization that provides supplemental education for natively fluent Japanese speaking children in the Greater Triangle Area. Following the Japanese academic year, JLSR currently holds classes on Saturday mornings from 8:35 AM to 1:25 PM at Saint Mary’s School in downtown Raleigh.

Each Saturday is broken into five 45 minute sessions, separated by appropriate breaks. Classes utilize standard Japanese textbooks and range from two levels of kindergarten, six grades of elementary school, three grades of middle school, and two grades of high school. All instruction is in Japanese.

Within the organization, parents biennially elect a group of officers who run the school and a Board of Directors. The board has close ties to Japanese companies in the Triangle area, the Triangle Japan Business Association, and the local Japanese chamber of commerce.

Primarily, JLSR is funded by tuition. Initial applications cost $140 per child. Standard monthly tuition is $102 for grades K-8 or $110 for high schoolers. Additionally, further donations to the JLSR can be made. Significant donors have been recognized: the Japanese government and the Triangle Japan Business Association.

Japanese Baptist Church of Raleigh

The Japanese Baptist Church of Raleigh (JBCR) is a growing Japanese community of Christians downtown at First Baptist Church. Every Sunday, Pastor Jun Matsuzaki teaches a Bible study from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM with a following worship service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Typically, the first Sunday of the month will hold a fellowship potluck (“Aisankai”) after the service. Sermons are recorded and uploaded onto the JBCR Facebook group.

All programs are conducted in Japanese only, but Pastor Matsuzaki and members within the congregation can speak English and encourage Japanese-learners to come. For those who are beginners, an English transcript is provided to follow the sermon.

Pastor Matsuzaki also conducts monthly assemblies in person in other parts of North Carolina: typically, Fayetteville on 2nd Thursday, Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) on 2nd Sunday, and Havelock and Jacksonville on 3rd Saturday. Currently, there is no longer a service held for Charlotte, NC on the 4th Sunday of the month.

For more detailed information, email Pastor Matsuzaki to be added to a weekly newsletter (Japanese only) detailing more specific information regarding each week, prayer meetings, upcoming events, and bible study handouts.

Japan External Trade Organization

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relationships between Japan and other nations. The JETRO office in New York is a comprehensive information center on U.S.-Japan business and economic relations, and offers American business-people a variety of consulting services and other assistance, usually free of charge. The New York office’s principal mission is to help American businesses in North Carolina and other southern states develop export trade to Japan.

Japanese Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese Ministry of Education (“Monbusho”) annually conducts an examination of language proficiency in Japanese for non-native speakers. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is often used as one criteria of eligibility for work and study opportunities in Japan. Currently, the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) website administers this examination in select locations in the United States only annually in December. However, in other countries such as Canada, the JLPT is offered bi-annually in July and December respectively.

Additionally, there is a Business Japanese Proficiency Test (BJT) for those who are on a tighter schedule to gain Visa and immigration credibility. The test is administrated via computer allowing for easier access and faster results over the JLPT. However, the JLPT remains the definitive global standard.

JMNC Solutions

JMNC Solutions is a management consulting company focused entirely on Japanese companies operating outside of Japan. JMNC Solutions leverages extensive experience from working with Japanese management to offer collaborative support and local knowledge and networking to help grow revenues or optimize your business performance for higher profits or greater stability. In-person and online solutions for Strategy, Operations, Products, Services, Human Resources, Corporate Development, and Research.

Johnson Brothers Mutual Distributing

Johnson Brothers Mutual Distributing is the largest distributing company in the state of North Carolina, and one of 24 locations for Johnson Brothers in the country. They have the largest, most comprehensive portfolio of high quality sake in the state and one of the most diverse selections in the entire country.

Sara Guterbock: Director of Education, Sake Portfolio Manager for Johnson Brothers:
[email protected]

JTA, Inc.

JTA, Inc. is a staffing, translation, interpreting, and business consultation company with competencies in connecting educated, trained candidates and companies in North and South Carolina. Japanese ex-pat support and relocation services are also available.

Nippon Club of the Triangle

The Nippon Club of the Triangle, founded in 1990, is a nonprofit organization run by all volunteers, and is committed to providing intercultural programs and activities in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) of North Carolina. The club’s major goal is to foster deeper cultural understandings between Japanese and Americans. To achieve this goal, the club promotes US-Japan cultural exchange and conducts local service activities.

The club’s signature cultural event is the annual NC-Japan Summer Festival (“Natsu Matsuri”), held at the NC State Fairgrounds, with approximately 6,000 attendees each year. Other events include a Member’s Day Picnic, Children’s Day, participation in the annual Raleigh International Festival, and “Mochitsuki” (mochi pounding). Satellite clubs include the Triangle Taiko Club (Japanese drumming), Triangle Chanoyu Club (Japanese tea ceremony), and Triangle Choir Club.

Realty Triangle Inc.

Realty Triangle Inc. is a leading, Japanese-owned realty firm focusing on the Triangle Area in NC, providing support in finding both rental properties and homes for purchase. Utilities, bank account, and social security number support services are also available.

Southern Bridge International, Inc.

Southern Bridge International is a nonprofit organization offering tutoring, interpreting, translating, baby-sitting, “Cafe de Mama” and “Prego Club” support groups for Japanese mothers, and other services. It is located in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.