First Bi-Racial Miss Japan Critiqued As “Not Japanese Enough”
Despite the nation’s reputation for homogeneity, the country of Japan appears to think Black is beautiful, too.
Ariana Miyamoto, whose father is African-American and mother a native Japanese, recently became the first multi-racial contestant to be named “Miss Universe Japan.”
However, many people across the country expressed their doubts that a “hafu” (the term for someone who is biracial) could represent Japan, saying that Miyamoto did not “look Japanese” enough.
Nonetheless, Miyamoto defended her culture in an interview after winning the top spot by explaining that while she does not “look Japanese,” she is truly a representative of the country. Miyamoto, who is a citizen of Japan by birth, grew up in Nagasaki and returned to the country after living in the U.S. for high school.
The 20-year-old model will represent Japan in the upcoming 2015 Miss Universe pageant.
“The world competition is going to be tough, but I’ll believe in myself and continue doing my best!” she said.
(Photo Credit: YouTube/MyBeautyOfficial)
