Karolina Shiino, the Ukraine-born Miss Japan beauty pageant winner, has given up her crown following rumors of an affair with a married man.
Shiino was named Miss Japan on January 22, making history as the first lady of European heritage to hold the title.
Her victory, however, drew criticism, with many claiming she was “not Japanese enough” to embody Japanese beauty.
During the dispute, Shukan Bunshun, a local magazine, disclosed that the 26-year-old model was having an affair with a married guy.
In their initial response to the allegation, the pageant organizers backed Shiino, who informed her modeling agency that she had discontinued the connection when she realized the man was married.
However, on Monday, the Miss Japan organizers stated that Shiino admitted to knowing about the man’s wife and family but continued to meet him.
The organisers stated that she apologised for misleading them and that her resignation from her title had been accepted.
In a statement via her Instagram page, Shiino apologised to her fans, adding that she had acted out of fear and panic in response to the reports.
“I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me,” she wrote.
According to the organisers, the Miss Japan title will now be vacant for the remainder of the year.
Shiino was born in Ukraine to Ukrainian parents and migrated to Japan when she was five. She would eventually adopt her stepfather’s Japanese last name.
In 2022, the Ukrainian-born model announced on social media that she had become a naturalized Japanese citizen.