Controversy Surrounds Miss Japan as She Relinquishes Crown Following Affair Scandal

Karolina Shiino, the first woman of European descent to win the coveted Miss Japan title, has voluntarily given up her crown following an affair scandal. The Ukraine-born beauty drew both praise and criticism for her historic win, which challenged traditional notions of Japanese beauty.

Shiino, who became a Japanese citizen in 2022, returned her title after a weekly magazine, Shukan Bunshun, revealed her involvement in a relationship with a married man. In an apology posted on Instagram, she expressed remorse and acknowledged the disappointment of her supporters.

Under the scrutiny of Japan‘s puritanical beauty pageant culture, the revelation of Shiino’s affair proved detrimental to her reputation. The Miss Japan Association accepted her request to relinquish the title and expressed remorse for the controversy.

Shiino’s journey to becoming Miss Japan was not without obstacles. Born to Ukrainian parents, she faced criticism online from individuals who questioned her ability to represent Japanese beauty due to her Caucasian background. However, she met all the eligibility criteria for the contest, including being a Japanese citizen.

This is not the first time Japanese beauty pageants have sparked controversy over winners’ backgrounds. In 2015, Ariana Miyamoto, who has a Japanese and African American heritage, faced backlash as the first mixed-race woman to represent Japan at the Miss Universe pageant. Similarly, Priyanka Yoshikawa, who is of Japanese and Indian descent, faced criticism when she represented Japan in the Miss World contest a year later.

Naomi Osaka, a Japanese tennis star of Haitian heritage, also faced backlash when she was chosen to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While some Japanese right-wingers protested the decision, others celebrated the increasing visibility of people of mixed race in various fields, including sports, entertainment, and more.