Ukrainian-born Miss Japan winner relinquishes crown amid extramarital affair scandal

The Miss Japan contest was first held in 1950 to reward “Japanese-style beauties”.

Tokyo:

The Ukrainian-born Miss Japan beauty pageant winner gave up her crown after reports emerged that she was having an affair with a married doctor.

Karolina Shiino’s nomination in January first sparked controversy after some on the right questioned the title given to naturalized Japanese citizens.

Then a scandal erupted in her private life when the weekly Shukan Bunshun reported on her extramarital relationship – a taboo for beauty pageant contestants whose moral standards are very clean.

Japanese entertainment figures who cheat, dabble in drugs or suffer other scandals also often find themselves shunned by fans and employers.

The Miss Japan Association said on Monday it had accepted Shiino’s request to return the crown for “personal reasons,” adding that there would be no Miss Japan in 2024.

Shiino said she wanted to “profoundly apologize” to those involved, including the man’s wife, the same day her agency said she had confirmed the incident.

Initially, “due to confusion and fear, I was unable to tell the truth… I apologize to those who believed in me and supported me,” the 26-year-old said on Instagram.

“I take this situation seriously and relinquish my Miss Japan Grand Prix title,” wrote the model, who moved to Japan when she was around five years old.

Shiino’s agency said in a statement on Monday that she told them she believed he was divorced when she started dating the man, but they continued the relationship after learning he was still married.

The Miss Japan pageant, which was first held in 1950, awards prizes for “Japanese beauty,” including “inner beauty, outer beauty, and beauty in action,” according to its website.

After Shiino’s nomination attracted attention online, people were quick to comment on social media.

“Whether she is Jewish-Ukrainian or not, but I can’t accept her character… why would she be Miss Japan?” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Others also wrote in support of Shiino on her Instagram post.

“You have the Japanese spirit. I don’t think this kind of personal matter should be a reason for you to step down, but this is Japan,” said one reply with nearly 350 likes.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)