Director of NHK. Age 30 from Kyoto. Joined NHK in 2011. After being assigned to the Drama (TV Show) Department, he was in charge of Historical (Taiga) drama, "Taira no Kiyomori", as well as 60th Anniversary of the Television Drama, "Made in Japan". His first directed radio drama, "If Cats Disappeared from the World", was given Honorable Mention at the Galaxy Awards and was a nominee for Prix Italia. Another work includes the Yamagata Regional Drama taking place in Takahata, Yamagata Prefecture, "Watashi no Ao Oni". Other than dramas, Kurasaki takes part in the production shows including "Document 72 Hours", "Jinsei Design U-29", "Asa-ichi", and "Chiisana Tabi". Currently, he is in charge of the 2019 Historical (Taiga) Drama, "Idaten".

Originally from Ehime Prefecture, Huntoon moved to Kyoto for college. After marrying her husband from Seattle in 1982, they moved to Seattle in 1983. Giving birth and while raising her child in Seattle, she graduated and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting at the University of Washington. While working full time for a Japanese company, she earned her MBA at Seattle University. In 1999, she was employed by the headquarters of Costco. Until her retirement in 2018, she worked as an international buyer in Costco's International Department. She has been the Chair of the Japan American Society of the State of Washington.

Jay Rubin is one of the foremost English-language translators of Japanese literature. He is best known for his numerous translations of works by Haruki Murakami. He taught Japanese literature at the University of Washington and Harvard University.

Zack Davisson is an award-winning translator, writer, and folklorist. He is the author of YUREI: THE JAPANESE GHOST, YOKAI STORIES, and KAIBYO: THE SUPERNATURAL CATS OF JAPAN, and the translator classic manga such as Shigeru Mizuki’s KITARO, Matsumoto Leiji’s CAPTAIN HARLOCK, Go Nagai’s DEVILMAN, and the multiple Eisner Award-winning SHOWA: A HISTORY OF JAPAN.

www.zackdavisson.com

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After graduating from Meiji University, Eto changed jobs from a transmission line construction company to a consulting firm, then to a manufacturing company, until finally becoming independent. As an independent E-Commerce consulting firm, his company stands as the oldest in Japan. Starting with online stores in 1999, a monthly revenue of 45-million yen was achieved in just a year and a half. Over 1000 companies are supported, and has produced 17 E-commerce related authors. Eto himself is the author to three books, and contributes articles to newspapers, magazines, and various media. The General Incorporated Association, Japan E-commerce Consultant Association, that he established in 2013 has reached an annual circulation volume of 300 billion yen.

Taiko drummer, shinobue performer, Tsugaru shamisen performer, taiko drumming instructor, and event producer from Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Asako offers musical and cultural programs through his activity including being the representative of Japan Creative Arts, co-finding The School of TAIKO, producing the Bellevue World Taiko Festival, and performing as a member of CHIKIRI. She also works behind the scenes including website construction, advertisement, costume production, and venue reservations. She was actively performing at places like Disney World and the Taikoza based in New York. When living in Japan, she worked as a sports caster of motorcycle racing at Suzuka Circuit and Twin Ring Motegi, and planned, ran, and emceesed events.

Taiko drummer, shinobue performer, composer, and arranger from Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. Ringtaro produces and spread hid love for music through his activity including co-finding The School of TAIKO, taking part in the taiko group CHIKIRI, and acting as the art director for the Bellevue World Taiko Festival. He is also a workshop leader of the largest Taiko Conference in the US. He has also performed over 1000 times in 26 countries as a member of the group that spread taiko to the world, Ondekoza. He has also completed the "America round tour", where performances happen all over the US, including four performances at Carnegie Hall, while running the perimeter of the US over the course of 3 years. Between 2002 and 2009, Ringtaro performed his taiko drumming to guests from all over the world at Disney World in Florida.

Entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1984, Yamada worked in Moscow from 1987 to 1991 during the Gorbachev era. Afterwards, he worked in places including Brussel (twice), Warsaw, and Nairobi, until June 2017 when he came to Seattle. While putting an effort into the advancement of Japanese businesses and communal exchanges, Yamada also striving towards a solution at the State and National level to Japaense women who face struggles after divorcing in unfair cirumstances with their American husband. On the Consul General homepage, he is writing a series called the "Memoirs of the Consulate General". Hobbies include golf, go, reading, and playing the piano. His favorite music incudes Sting and Chopin.

Composer, Lyricist, Musical Author. Maki is a musical author who writes the script and the songs all at once. After graduating Kanzawa University in law, Maki started to work at Hudson Soft Company, Limited as a game music creator. She has taken charge in arranging music for many popular games, including the Momotaro Dentetsu Series. In 1997, she became independent as a composer, lyricist, and writer. In 2012, she debuted in the businessman musical "WAYOUT" (Planning, production, script, lyrics, and composition). "Musical 'DAICHI'", performed in 2015, was chosen as a final nominee for the 2016 Hokkaido Drama Award. The most important musical works include "KACHIBUS", "Shinkansen Osouji no Tenshitachi", "Kimiyo Ikite", "O.G.", "SNOW MANGO", "So-su", "Score!".

Nakamoto is currently retired and resides in Washington since 1971. From his retirement in 2009, he is an active community volunteer with involvements in veteran organization, community groups and cultural art events. He participated in an annual Aki Matsuri at the Bellevue College and is the current Vice President of the East-side Nihon Matsuri Association. He is also a past Commander of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee and continues to contribute in various committees of the veteran’s organization. He is involved with the annual Japan Fair and serves as the Treasurer and Co-Vice President for the community event. Since discharge from the US Navy in 1971, Nakamoto earned his degree from the University of Washington, using his GI Bill. Prior to retirement, he spent 9 years in Yokohama, Japan as an expatriate with Xerox Corporation and gained many friends and a passion for the history and culture of Japan. During his assignment, he was accompanied by his family, who enjoyed learning the Japanese language and the culture of Japan. They have traveled to Japan frequently on various solo adventure tours.

Raised in Nagano Prefecture, Tanaka graduated from Tsuda University in English Literature to then be employed at a computer maker company in Tokyo. Working as an expatriate in Boston, she supported Japanese customers. She then went on to earn her bachelor of science in telecommunications from the State University of New York at Utica/Rome. After working as a research director of a international communications consulting company, she worked as a telecommunications specialist in the telecommunications sector of a Citibank branch, until ultimately working as a technology auditor. Moving to Seattle in 1998, Tanaka earned her Masters and Ph.D. in communications at the University of Washington. Currently, she is a telecommuncations and management consultant. Tanaka also has experience in Urasenke Chado for 40 years and takes the Chamei of Souka. She has certification as an assistant professor and uses weekends to teach Tea at her home. She has been an officer of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association since 2005, and the Secretary-General since 2015.

Born in Tokyo in 1935. Self learning how to use a computer at the age of 60, Wakamiya started creating iPhone apps in Fall of 2016 at the age of 81, and finally releasing the game app "hinadan" in February of 2017. In June of 2017, she was invited to the WWDC2017, and introduced by CEO Tim Cook as the world's oldest programmer, making her famous over night. She is also the oldest employed lawmaker of Prime Minister Abe's "人生100年時代構想会議". In Feburary of 2018, she gave a speech at the Social Development Commission held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Former Head of the Livestock Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Currently the Chair of the General Corporation Association, Livestock Environment Maintenance Organization. Born in Tokyo in 1956. Enrolled into Hokkaido University with the admiration of living in Hokkaido. Graduated with a degree in Agriculture, and entered the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1980. Harada went around the country, working mainly with livestock fields. To this day, he has experienced many disasters and diseases including BSE, Bird Influenza, and the nuclear power plant disaster. He has dealt with the reputational damage due to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Disaster, and has been involved in groups including the Kasumigaseki Association of Volunteers and Geiger Counter Meetings. Harada has a strong love for cheese, livestock, and wine, and will start promoting them on his own.