Ukrainian-born Miss Japan rekindles an old question: What does it mean to be Japanese?

TOKYO (AP)– Crowned Miss Japan today, Ukrainian- birthed Carolina Shiino wept with delight, appreciative for the acknowledgment of her identification asJapanese But her Caucasian look revived an old concern in a nation where lots of people worth homogeneity and consistency: What does it mean to be Japanese?

Shiino has actually resided in Japan because relocating right here at age 5 and came to be a naturalized person in 2022. Now 26, she functions as a version and states she has as solid a feeling of Japanese identification as anybody else, regardless of her non-Japanese appearance.

“It really is like a dream,” Shiino stated in well-versed Japanese in her teary approval speechMonday “I’ve faced a racial barrier. Even though I’m Japanese, there have been times when I was not accepted. I’m full of gratitude today that I have been accepted as Japanese.”

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