2024-01-27 06:50:00
Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino was selected as Miss Japan/Kazuki Oishi/Sipa USA
2024.01.27 Sat posted at 15:50 JST
(CNN) A Ukrainian-born model now symbolizes Japanese beauty. At least, that’s what the contest judges thought. The judges’ selection of Carolina Shiino, 26, as “Miss Japan” on the 22nd sparked a debate over cultural identity.
According to the organizer’s website, the annual Miss Japan contest awards the crown to the contestant who embodies the “highest form of Japanese female beauty.” The decision to choose a winner with European roots raises questions regarding beauty standards and what it means to be Japanese.
Shiino, who has Japanese nationality, has lived in Nagoya since the age of five and speaks fluent Japanese. She told CNN in Tokyo that she wanted to be recognized as Japanese.
Miss Japan participants line up on stage at the finale of the competition/Miss Nippon
Shiino explained that it was difficult for her to be accepted as Japanese because of her appearance. She expressed her hope that her award will lead to a change in the perception of who is considered Japanese.
Mr. Shiino says we live in an era of diversity and an era where diversity is needed. She also said that there are many people like herself who are worried regarding the gap between appearance and content, and admitted that she believed in herself and competed in Miss Japan, saying, “I kept being told that I’m not Japanese, but I am absolutely Japanese.” He said he was really happy to receive it.
Japan is an ethnically homogeneous country with relatively few immigrants. In recent years, authorities have therefore begun to admit more foreign residents and workers to fill the gap left by an aging population. Japan has struggled to balance conservative views on immigration with the need to welcome new young workers, but a 2018 study by the Pew Research Center found that immigrants make the country stronger. 59% of Japanese people said so.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, “Carolina’s nationality is Japanese, so there’s nothing wrong with her,” and compared her to various foreign-born athletes who have represented Japan in international sports tournaments. “They and Karolina are both Japanese,” he pointed out.
Some praised Shiino’s love for Japan. “There are many Japanese people who don’t value Japan, so what’s wrong with the fact that they cherished Japan, where they lived since childhood, naturalized, took on the challenge as a Japanese, and won Miss Japan?” . One user of Japan,” he wrote.
On the other hand, some people questioned whether people without Japanese ancestry might embody the ideals of Japanese beauty.
Carolina Shiino receives the Miss Japan trophy/Miss Nippon
Hiroe Yamashita, a historical researcher, told X that “racism should never be tolerated,” and added, “If we are going to compete on appearance under the concept of Miss Japan, I personally hope that this is the standard of Japanese beauty.” In my opinion, with Karolina Shiina’s appearance, a pure-blooded Japanese person has no chance of winning under the modern values of beauty.”
Nearly 10 years before Shiino, Eliana Miyamoto became the first half-Japanese contestant to win the Miss Universe Japan pageant. Miyamoto then represented Japan at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant.
Miss Japan is not part of an international beauty pageant and is not affiliated with global competitions such as Miss World or Miss Universe.
Carolina Shiino (center) smiling with other participants/Miss Japan Association/Handout via Reuters
The Miss Japan contest was first held in 1950. It was sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun, a major newspaper. The original purpose was to select a goodwill envoy to go to the United States to convey Japan’s gratitude for its post-World War II humanitarian aid.
The winner of the first competition was Fujiko Yamamoto, who later went on to become an actress. According to the Miss Japan pageant’s official website, Ms. Yamamoto’s “dignified elegance” has since become a new standard of beauty for Japanese women.
After a 15-year hiatus, Shizuo Wada revived the contest in 1967. Mr. Wada became a celebrity who teaches health and beauty gymnastics on TV.
The current contest is run by her grandson Ai Wada. Ai Wada told CNN that she chose Shiino as Miss Japan because she is a hard-working but humble Japanese woman who has deep compassion for others.
Ukrainian-born model becomes Miss Japan, sparking controversy
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