Bringing The World Home To You

© 2025 WUNC North Carolina Public Radio
120 Friday Center Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
919.445.9150 | 800.962.9862
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

How North Carolina became Japan's favorite state

A green apple flavored Hi-Chew candy.
Henry Ngo
/
A green apple flavored Hi-Chew candy

North Carolina has been cultivating a special relationship with Japan for more than four decades… and the rewards for the American economy are only accelerating.

We find out how tax incentives, BBQ, and Bojangles helped make the Tar Heel State the epicenter of Japanese investment in the US in this special feature from WUNC's podcast The Broadside.

Featuring:

Teruhiro "Terry" Kawabe, President and CEO of Morinaga America

David Robinson, Honorary Consul of Japan to North Carolina

Andy Steinhauer, General Manager at Health & Nutrition North America plant in Raleigh, NC

Brian Gordon, Business & Technology reporter at The News & Observer

Anisa Khalifa is an award-winning podcast producer and host at WUNC. She grew up in a public radio household, and fell in love with podcasts shortly before her friends convinced her to start one with them about Korean dramas. Since joining WUNC in 2021, Anisa has produced Me and My Muslim Friends, CREEP, Tested and Dating While Gray, and is the host of WUNC's weekly podcast The Broadside.
Related Content
  • A second plant to make candy for the Japanese company Hi-Chew will go up in Orange County. Another 200 jobs are part of a trend, and a point of emphasis for NC business policy. A reporter breaks down the growing business ties between the nation and state.