The Ukraine-born winner of the Miss Japan beauty pageant has given up her crown after a local magazine exposed her alleged affair with a married influencer.
The 26-year-old model was crowned Miss Japan on Jan. 22, becoming the first woman of European descent to receive the accolade. She was born in Ukraine to Ukrainian parents, who moved to Japan when she was five. She became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2022.
An article in the Shukan Bunshun magazine confirmed that she was involved with a married influencer and doctor.
Initially, Pageant organizers defended Ms. Shiino’s name, clarifying that she didn’t know about his marriage.
However, on Monday, February 5, the organizers came clean, admitting that the Japanese model made a shocking confession about already being familiar with the doctor’s marriage and family.
The Miss Japan Association confirmed Shiino had declined the award “due to personal reasons” and that the title would remain vacant.
“We take seriously our responsibility for the series of disturbances,” the association said in a statement. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our sponsors, judges, and stakeholders who have supported the tournament.”
The 26-year-old model admitted via an Instagram post: “I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me.”
