Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Karolina China Miss Japan withdrew from his position. She relinquished her crown just two weeks after being crowned Japan’s Beauty Queen.
He, who had previously sparked debate about his cultural identity because he was born in Ukraine, was dragged into an extramarital affair.
Shiino was the first woman of European descent to win a beauty contest in Japan. However, after being crowned, controversies continued to emerge, one of which was reported by a local newspaper about her affair with a married man.
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This 26 year old model apologized to the man’s family and all parties involved through a post on his personal Instagram account. Shiino also announced that she was terminating her exclusive contract with her agency and was withdrawing from Miss Japan.
“I am truly sorry for causing a lot of trouble for many people and betraying those who have supported me,” he wrote, according to CNN.
The event organizers also immediately issued a statement. They said that Shiino had “requested to withdraw from the contest for personal reasons.”
The head of the Miss Japan Association, Kaoru Wada, said there was no replacement for Shiino’s resignation as Miss Japan 2024. The title will remain vacant throughout 2024.
Shiino’s controversy that has surfaced is not only about the issue of his infidelity. His citizenship is also often questioned.
Although she is a naturalized citizen who is fluent in Japanese and has lived in the country since she was 5, Shiino’s win in the contest proved controversial. Some critics questioned whether someone without Japanese ethnicity could encapsulate the country’s beauty ideals.
“I want to be recognized as Japanese,” Shiino said in Tokyo after his win last month.
“I keep being told that I’m not Japanese, but I really am, so I entered Miss Japan really believing in myself. I’m very happy to be recognized like this.” he said.
The decision to choose a European winner sparked debate on social media, raising questions about what it means to be Japanese and the impact of Western beauty ideals in Asia.
“If the Miss Japan pageant is based on the concept of beauty, I personally hope it is based on Japanese beauty standards,” wrote historian Hiroe Yamashita on X or Twitter after Shiino’s win.
“But with Karolina Shiino’s looks, an (ethnically) Japanese girl has no chance of winning under modern beauty values.” he said.
Shiino also told CNN about the difficulties he faced growing up in Japan – an ethnically homogeneous country with relatively low levels of immigration – Shiino called for a broader definition of who should be considered Japanese.
“After all, we live in an era of diversity – where diversity is needed,” she said at the time before stepping down as Miss Japan.
(tst/chs)
[Gambas:Video CNN]