Ukrainian-born Miss Japan gives up crown after affair with married man exposed

The Miss Japan title will remain vacant for the remainder of the year

Ukrainian-born Karolina Shiino, the winner of last month’s Miss Japan contest, gave up the title after a weekly revealed her relationship with a married man. British Broadcasting Corporation the report said. The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine and raised in Japan, sparked controversy last month when she won the title of Miss Japan 2024. Many questioned how Miss Japan could be awarded to someone of non-Japanese ancestry.

Amid the controversy, the weekly Shukan Bunshun published a story about her relationship with a married internet celebrity and doctor named Takuma Maeda. Pageant organizers initially defended Ms Shiino, saying she had no idea the man was married. However, it was later discovered that she dated him knowing he was married and apologized for misleading them.

according to japan timesHer modeling agency Free Wave said on Monday that doctors initially said he was single, but Ms Shiino continued the relationship after learning he was married.

“I am deeply sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me,” she said. Apologize on Instagram. She added that after the magazine article was published, she was “incapable of telling the truth out of confusion and fear.”

The Miss Japan Association said in a statement on its website on Monday that it had accepted her request to give up the title and “seriously reflects on our responsibility for causing this series of unrest.” The association also expressed its “deep apology” to all parties involved, including sponsors and judges.

The title of Miss Japan will now remain vacant for the remainder of the year, a rarity in pageant history.

It is worth noting that Ms. Shiino moved to Japan when she was five years old after her mother remarried a Japanese man. She declared herself Japanese in “word and thought” and her goal was to create a culture “where people are not judged by appearance.”

The 26-year-old said in her Miss Japan speech: “I have had to face some obstacles that often prevented me from being accepted as Japanese, so I feel very happy to be recognized as Japanese in this competition. Grateful.” Grand Prix Beauty Contest.