The organizers of this year’s Miss Japan pageant, who is of Ukrainian descent, said that the winner has resigned her title following the publication of an article in a magazine detailing her affair with a married man.
After Karolina Shiino won the title of Miss Japan on January 22, the subject of what it means to be Japanese in a nation that still values uniformity and conformity was brought up in public discourse.
Shiino claimed in a Monday message that she promised to give up her crown and quit her modeling agency in response to the article’s publication. The statement was shared on her Instagram account. She claims that her offer was taken up.
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The previous week, the Weekly Bunshun magazine revealed that Shiino had dated a married doctor. then seemed to confirm the relationship at first, but then claimed she was unaware of his marriage.
She posted on Instagram, “I’m very sorry for causing the tremendous trouble and for acting as if I’m betraying everyone who has supported me.”
In addition, Shiino expressed regret to the man’s family, partner, and other relevant parties.
The Miss Japan organizers’ office announced on Tuesday that they recognized Shiino’s decision to renounce the title and that the 2024 winner’s spot would stay unfilled.
Additionally, the group apologized to sponsors, judges, and other parties involved for “the trouble” and stated that it “takes responsibility” for the disturbance. According to the statement, Shiino’s first defense was based on her claim that the man she was seeing had informed her he was divorced, and she ended their relationship when she found out he wasn’t.
