Karolina Shiino, the winner of the Ukrainian-Japanese Miss Japan pageant, has given up her crown following the revelation of an affair.
The winner of Miss Japan, who was originally from Ukraine, has given up her title following news of her affair with a married doctor. In January, there was controversy surrounding Karolina Shiino’s nomination due to some people questioning the decision to give the title to a naturalized Japanese citizen. Later, a scandal emerged when a weekly magazine, Shukan Bunshun, revealed her involvement in an extra-marital relationship – something considered taboo for beauty pageant contestants in Japan, who are expected to uphold high moral standards.
Famous figures in Japanese entertainment industry who engage in extramarital affairs, experiment with drugs, or face other controversies are frequently rejected by their supporters and employers.
On Monday, the Miss Japan Association announced that they had agreed to Shiino’s request to relinquish her crown for “personal reasons”. As a result, there will not be a Miss Japan pageant in 2024.
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Shiino, who emigrated to Japan at the age of five, said she wanted to “deeply apologize” to those involved, including the man’s wife, on the same day her management agency said she had confirmed the affair.
Japan’s culture is largely conservative and dominated by men.
According to its website, the Miss Japan pageant, which was established in 1950, recognizes individuals who embody “Japanese-style beauty,” which encompasses inner beauty, physical beauty, and actions that are deemed beautiful.
Following the online buzz surrounding Shiino’s nomination, individuals swiftly shared their thoughts on various social media platforms.
One user expressed their disapproval of a Jewish-Ukrainian contestant and questioned why she was chosen as Miss Japan.
Some individuals also expressed their support for Shiino on her Instagram post.
“According to a response with almost 350 likes, you possess the spirit of Japan. Despite this, I do not believe that such a personal matter should be the cause of your resignation. However, this is the way things are in Japan.”
Source: cbsnews.com