Ukraine-Born Miss Japan Winner Forfeits Crown After Admitting To Affair

Miss Japan has given up her crown following the revelation of her affair.

26-year old Karolina Shiino was born in Ternopil, Ukraine, and moved to Japan when she was  five years old. She took on the surname of her step father, grew up like other Japanese children, and eventually gained her citizenship in 2022.

In January 2024, she became the first naturalized citizen to win the Miss Nippon Grand Prix, one of the country’s most prestigious pageants.

She mentioned feeling grateful in her speech for being recognized as a fellow Japanese.

I had not been accepted as Japanese many times, but I am filled with gratitude to have been recognized as Japanese today.

— Karolina Shiino

These positive feelings were unfortunately short-lived. Local magazine Shūkan Bunshun reported on January 31 that Shiino was having an affair with a married man. The unnamed doctor did not comment on the news.

The organizers initially defended Shiino, saying that she was unaware of his marriage status. They later retracted their words after she privately admitted to the affair.

The beauty queen released a public statement on Instagram where she apologized for “betraying” her supporters.

I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me.

— Karolina Shiino

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A post shared by Karolina Shiino/ 椎野カロリーナ (@karolina0824)

She withdrew her Miss Nippon title and asked to terminate her contract with her entertainment agency.

The organizers declared the Miss Nippon title vacant for 2024 despite having several runner-up winners.