Miss Japan, Karolina Shiino, has been forced to give up her crown when it was found that she had an affair with a married man.
The Ukraine-born beauty pageant winner was announced on January 22, but her victory has since been clouded by scandal. She relocated to Japan at the age of five.
Shiino’s triumph, making her the first woman of European heritage to hold the title, prompted controversy, with many claiming that she was “not Japanese enough” to embody Japanese beauty.
However, a local magazine, Shukan Bunshun, revealed that the 26-year-old model was having an affair with a married guy. The Miss Japan pageant administrators first supported Shiino after she informed her modelling agency that she had discontinued the relationship when she discovered the man was married.
However, on Monday, the organisers said that the pageant winner admitted to knowing about the man’s wife and family but continued to meet him. According to them, she apologised for being deceptive and her title resignation was accepted.
Shiino apologised to her supporters in an Instagram message, explaining that she behaved out of fear and terror in response to the claims.
“I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me,” the model wrote.
The organisers said the Miss Japan title will now remain vacant for the rest of the year.
