6-2-2024 (TOKYO) Karolina Shiino, a Ukrainian-born naturalised Japanese citizen, has decided to give up her title as Miss Japan after Japanese media exposed her involvement in an extramarital affair. The announcement comes as her profile has been removed from the pageant’s official website.
Shiino, 26, made headlines when she was crowned Miss Japan on January 22, becoming the first naturalised citizen to achieve this distinction. However, her victory sparked controversy among the Japanese people, who questioned the selection of a contestant without “a drop of Japanese blood” to represent Japanese women.
Adding to the controversy, a report by Japanese magazine Shukan Bunshun revealed that Shiino was romantically involved with a married doctor. Initially, the pageant organisers denied the claim, asserting that Shiino was unaware of the doctor’s marital status, as reported by The Japan Times. The Miss Japan Association released a statement defending Shiino, stating that they believed she had done nothing wrong.
However, on February 5, the organisers reversed their stance, confirming that Shiino was aware of the doctor’s marital status and had continued the relationship even after learning the truth. As a result, she offered to resign her title, and the organisers accepted her decision. Consequently, the position of Miss Japan will remain vacant throughout the year.
Shiino took to her Instagram page to issue a written apology, expressing remorse for the distress she caused and acknowledging the betrayal towards those who supported her. In her apology, she attributed her actions to confusion and fear, stating that it made it impossible for her to speak the truth.
Born in Ukraine, Shiino and her family relocated to Japan when she was five years old. Growing up in Nagoya, she faced challenges in reconciling her Ukrainian background with her Japanese identity. In her emotional acceptance speech upon winning the crown, she openly discussed her struggle with identity, as reported by Reuters. In September 2023, Shiino shared a post on her Instagram page, declaring her official status as a Japanese citizen.
