A Ukrainian-Born Model Is The New... Miss Japan
Carolina Shiino, a 26-year-old model originally from Ukraine, has clinched the title of Miss Japan in the 2024 Miss Nippon Grand Prix.
However, the victory has not been without its share of controversy.
Criticism has emerged, asserting that Carolina Shiino, being of Ukrainian descent, lacks a connection to the Japanese identity. A post on X stated, "This person has no connection to the Japanese; she is one hundred percent Ukrainian. I understand she is beautiful..."
Another individual emphasized, "If she were born Russian, she wouldn't have won. What a sad day for Japan!"
This sentiment echoes a larger debate surrounding identity and beauty standards, with some expressing disappointment over the outcome based on Shiino's non-Japanese heritage.
Miss Japan 2024 Crown Sparks Controversy
Carolina Shiino's path to winning Miss Japan 2024 is marked by her relocation to the country at the age of five, following her mother's remarriage. Residing in Nagoya for over two decades, Shiino not only embraced Japanese culture but also obtained naturalized citizenship.
The BBC's report on her triumph in the Tokyo beauty competition on January 22 has elicited varied responses, with some viewing it as a "sign of the times." Yet, others question whether Shiino embodies the traditional image associated with the prestigious title.
Critics of Shiino argue that she "does not look like a Miss Japan should," a sentiment reported by The Telegraph.
Controversies surrounding beauty pageant winners in Japan have historical roots.
In 2015, Ariana Miyamoto, born to a Japanese mother and an African American father, secured the Miss Japan crown, becoming the first mixed-race woman to achieve this.
Much like Shiino's recent win, Miyamoto's victory sparked discussions about the evolving definitions of beauty and identity in Japan.
However, the victory has not been without its share of controversy.
Criticism has emerged, asserting that Carolina Shiino, being of Ukrainian descent, lacks a connection to the Japanese identity. A post on X stated, "This person has no connection to the Japanese; she is one hundred percent Ukrainian. I understand she is beautiful..."
Another individual emphasized, "If she were born Russian, she wouldn't have won. What a sad day for Japan!"
This sentiment echoes a larger debate surrounding identity and beauty standards, with some expressing disappointment over the outcome based on Shiino's non-Japanese heritage.
Miss Japan 2024 Crown Sparks Controversy
Carolina Shiino's path to winning Miss Japan 2024 is marked by her relocation to the country at the age of five, following her mother's remarriage. Residing in Nagoya for over two decades, Shiino not only embraced Japanese culture but also obtained naturalized citizenship.
The BBC's report on her triumph in the Tokyo beauty competition on January 22 has elicited varied responses, with some viewing it as a "sign of the times." Yet, others question whether Shiino embodies the traditional image associated with the prestigious title.
Critics of Shiino argue that she "does not look like a Miss Japan should," a sentiment reported by The Telegraph.
Controversies surrounding beauty pageant winners in Japan have historical roots.
In 2015, Ariana Miyamoto, born to a Japanese mother and an African American father, secured the Miss Japan crown, becoming the first mixed-race woman to achieve this.
Much like Shiino's recent win, Miyamoto's victory sparked discussions about the evolving definitions of beauty and identity in Japan.
