The winner of this year’s Miss Japan beauty pageant, Karolina Shiino, has voluntarily given up her title following revelations about her involvement with a married man. This incident has sparked a nationwide discussion on what constitutes Japanese identity in a society that still highly values homogeneity and conformity.
In an emotional Instagram post on Monday, Shiino announced her decision to relinquish her crown and resign from her modeling agency after a magazine exposed her affair. The Weekly Bunshun reported that she had been in a relationship with a married doctor. Initially, Shiino admitted to the relationship but claimed to be unaware of his marital status. However, she later admitted that she was aware of his marriage and expressed her remorse and shock over the situation.
“I deeply apologize for the immense trouble caused and for betraying the trust of everyone who supported me,” Shiino wrote on Instagram. She also extended her apologies to the man’s partner, his family, and all other parties involved.
The Miss Japan organizers have accepted Shiino’s resignation and announced that the slot for the 2024 winner will remain vacant. The organization acknowledged its responsibility for the controversy and expressed its apologies to sponsors, judges, and everyone associated with the pageant. Initially, the organizers defended Shiino based on her initial explanation that the man had claimed to be divorced, but they later learned that this was not the case.
This scandal has reignited a debate on social media, with many questioning why Shiino bears the brunt of the blame for the affair. In Japanese society, women are often subject to more public criticism and scrutiny than men in cases of extramarital affairs due to the country’s male-dominated culture and societal expectations for women to be dutiful wives and mothers.
The man involved in the affair, Takuma Maeda, also known as “muscle doctor,” admitted on Instagram that he had no intention of divorcing his wife. He apologized for the trouble caused to Shiino and others and pledged to focus on his work and personal life moving forward.
Shiino, who has lived in Japan since the age of 5 and is fluent in Japanese, became a naturalized citizen in 2022. Despite her Caucasian appearance, she strongly identifies with her Japanese roots.