“There have been racial barriers, and it has been challenging to be accepted as Japanese.”

That’s what a tearful Carolina Shiino said in impeccable Japanese after she was crowned Miss Japan on Monday.

The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine, moved to Japan at the age of five and was raised in Nagoya.

She is the first naturalised Japanese citizen to win the pageant, but her victory has re-ignited a debate on what it means to be Japanese.

While some recognised her victory as a “sign of the times”, others have said she does not look like what a “Miss Japan” should.

    • jordanlund@lemmy.worldM
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      9 months ago

      Removed under rule 5:

      Rule 5: Keep it civil. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (perjorative, perjorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (perjorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect!

    • Schmidtster@lemmynsfw.com
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      9 months ago

      It’s racist for pointing out that “Japanese” means something? “(Native) American” means something? And to bring white washing to light?

      The hypocrites on Lemmy is astounding…

      • Zahille7@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Why do you give such a fuck about this? When we say someone is “American” it just means they live here. The same should go for every other country.

        You’re just a racist troll.

      • clgoh@lemmy.ca
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        9 months ago

        Your whole discourse is about race purity. Of course it is racist.