Ariana Miyamoto, the newly crowned Miss Universe Japan, may have won the highly coveted beauty pageant title in her country this year, yet not all her fellow Japanese seem proud.
Miyamoto has grabbed the headlines recently for being the first biracial beauty to represent Japan in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. Born and raised in Nagasaki, the 20-year-old has a Japanese mother and an African-American father, giving her "hafu" (half-Japanese) status.
Unfortunately, in a mostly homogenous society like Japan, some people still find it hard to accept "hafu" as truly Japanese, according to Rocket News 24. Thus, Miyamoto's selection has caused quite a stir among many Japanese as some questioned her eligibility to represent the country in the international pageant.
Various Japanese websites shared a round-up of comments from the Japanese netizens, with some expressing their opposition to the biracial beauty with statements like, "Is it okay to select a hafu to represent Japan?" and "Because this is Miss Universe Japan, don't you think hafu are a no-no?"
Some emphasized Miyamoto's "foreigner" look, saying her face was "too gaijin" or that Japan deserved a "pure-blooded Japanese" ("junnihon") beauty instead. Another commenter wrote, "She has too much black blood in her to be Japanese."
Despite the backlash, the aspiring model has also attracted a lot of fans and supporters. On the popular site Girls Channel, some shared positive and encouraging posts for the newly crowned beauty queen.
One commenter said, "Even if you are hafu, if you have Japanese citizenship, then you're Japanese." Another one gave a shout out, "Having a different ethnicity in you doesn't make you ANY LESS JAPANESE!"
Miyamoto seems to be aware of Japan's discrimination towards biracial individuals. During a press interview, the aspiring model expressed her uncertainty whether it would be alright for a half-Japanese like her to represent the country.
Yet, the 5'6 beauty is not likely to give up anytime soon, especially now that she has finally won the title. Talking about Miss Universe pageant in January 2016, Miyamoto said, "The world competition is going to be tough. But I'll believe in myself and continue doing my best."
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