Ukrainian-born model crowned as Miss Japan, controversy erupts

Tokyo: The recent crowning of a 26-year-old model born in Ukraine as Miss Japan 2024 has sparked a debate, with many questioning the legitimacy of awarding "Miss Japan" to an individual not of Japanese descent.

Carolina Shiino, hailing from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, secured the title in Tokyo on Monday, becoming the first naturalised Japanese citizen to win the prestigious pageant.

Shiino's move to Japan at the age of five, following her mother's remarriage to a Japanese man, has been cited as part of her life journey.

In her speech at the Miss Japan Gran Prix pageant, she expressed her self-identification as Japanese in "speech and mind" and emphasised her goal to promote a culture where people are not judged solely based on their appearance. Despite facing barriers in being accepted as Japanese, she expressed gratitude for being recognised in the competition.

However, her victory has stirred controversy on social media, with scepticism voiced regarding how "Miss Japan" could be awarded to someone without Japanese ancestry.

Users expressed dissatisfaction with the choice of a contestant with no ethnic connection to Japan, calling it "ridiculous" and beyond comprehension. Some raised concerns about the impact on the perception of Japanese identity, emphasising the importance of embracing multiculturalism over exclusive criteria based on pure Japanese blood.

Ai Wada, the organiser of the pageant, responded to the criticism by asserting that Japanese beauty transcends physical appearance or blood ties, firmly residing in the heart. She highlighted that the controversy provides an opportunity to contemplate the essence of Japanese beauty and identity.