Miss Universe Japan criticized for her 'not pure Japanese' beauty

Amidst the gossip about her appearance, Ariana Miyamoto said that she has a Japanese heart and will do her best to introduce national culture to international friends.

In recent days, many audiences have been buzzing about the victory of 21-year-old Ariana Miyamoto at the Miss Universe Japan contest. The reason is that Miyamoto has mixed-race beauty, with an African father and a pure Japanese mother. Before Miyamoto, there was no precedent for a contestant of mixed blood to be crowned Miss Universe in the land of cherry blossoms.

Miss Ariana Miyamoto.

Ariana Miyamoto was born and raised in Nagasaki and speaks Japanese fluently. She attended high school in the US and then returned to her homeland to model. She is well-versed in Japanese calligraphy and cooking.

However, many audiences are concerned that with her "Western" face, Ariana Miyamoto cannot represent Japanese beauty and cannot highlight Japanese elements in international competitions.

Responding to the gossip, Miyamoto said that in the past she often had to explain to people around her about her origins. "I don't look much like a Japanese person on the outside, but my soul is very Japanese. Competing abroad will be much more difficult, but I have confidence in myself and will try my best," the beauty queen said.

Miss Universe 1959 Akiko Kojima (left) and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori.

Rocket News 24 commented: "Mixed-race beauty often attracts the attention of others, sometimes even suffering unequal treatment. This girl from Nagasaki has to endure the troubles of racial discrimination."

At Miss Universe, Japan has had two contestants crowned Miss, in 1959 and 2007.

According to VNE