Ukrainian-born Karolina Shiino breaks racial barriers to win Miss Japan crown, sparking debate on what it means to be Japanese

‘I’m just filled with so much gratitude that I have really been accepted as a Japanese person today,’ Shiino said during a tearful acceptance speech

But many social media users questioned whether the naturalised citizen, who ‘doesn’t have a drop of Japanese blood’, is truly the face of the country

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Karolina Shiino poses with the Miss Japan trophy in Tokyo on January 22. Photo: EPA-EFE/Jiji Press

Published: 4:01pm, 25 Jan 2024Updated: 1:35pm, 26 Jan 2024

The crowning of Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino as the winner of the Miss Japan contest this week has triggered a social media debate on what it means to be, and look, Japanese.

The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine and looks Caucasian, has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is a naturalised citizen. Over the years, Japan has further opened its doors to foreigners as a way to reverse its declining birth rate, one of the lowest in the world.

“I live as a Japanese person, but there have been racial barriers and many instances where I wasn’t accepted,” Shiino said in fluent Japanese during a tearful acceptance on Monday.

“I’m just filled with so much gratitude that I have really been accepted as a Japanese person today,” she said.

Several people took to social media to question whether Shiino is truly the face of Japan. “So, someone who doesn’t have a drop of Japanese blood and has no trace of Japanese-ness is going to represent Japanese women?” said one person on the social media platform X.