TOKYO: The winner of the Miss Japan contest, who hails from Ukraine, has relinquished her title after a tabloid report surfaced alleging her involvement in an extramarital affair.
Karolina Shiino expressed deep regret in a statement, apologizing to her supporters and the public for the significant disruption she caused.
The Miss Japan Association confirmed that Shiino had resigned from her title, acknowledging her misleading behavior.
As a result, the Miss Japan crown will remain vacant for the remainder of the year. Shiino, 26, claimed victory in the 2024 Miss Japan Grand Prix last month, sparking controversy due to her background.
While some welcomed her victory, others questioned whether she aligned with traditional Japanese beauty standards. Amidst this debate, a local magazine exposed her alleged affair with a married influencer and doctor, according to the Shukan Bunshun report. The man involved has not publicly commented on the matter.
Initially, pageant organizers defended Shiino, asserting she was unaware of the man’s marital status. However, they disclosed on Monday that Shiino had admitted to being aware of his marriage and family.
Meanwhile, a Japanese young man, Watanabe Ryuta, a 35-year-old, made headlines when he disclosed on a TV show that he is currently living with three wives and two girlfriends. Among his wives, he has two children with his first wife and recently welcomed a newborn with his third wife. Notably, his fourth wife, aged 24, resides separately from the rest of the family.
Expressing an ambitious desire to surpass the historical record set by Tokugawa Ienari, an emperor who lived in the late 18th and early 19th century, Ryuta aims to father 54 children. Tokugawa Ienari, who passed away in 1841, reportedly had 53 children with 27 concubines during his reign in the Edo Period.
Ryuta shared his aspirations, stating, “I want to overtake him. As such, I want to have 54 children, so my name can go down in history. I am still searching for a new wife.”
Despite polygamy being illegal in Japan, Watanabe has devised a unique approach. Each of his three wives has her own room, and he diligently follows a schedule. Over the past decade, he has been unemployed, assuming the role of a house husband and relying on the earnings of his wives and girlfriends.
While his first wife has accepted his unconventional lifestyle, the second initially considered ending the marriage but later embraced the polygamous relationship. Watanabe intends to continue expanding his family by marrying one of his wives, divorcing her, and subsequently marrying another woman.
It is worth noting the controversial nature of Watanabe’s choices, given the legal constraints surrounding polygamy in Japan.
