Foreign-born Miss Japan sparks debate on what it means to be Japanese

Miss Japan Karolina Shiino was born in Ukraine but has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is a naturalised citizen. - Reuters

TOKYO: The crowning of Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino as the winner of the Miss Japan contest this week has triggered a social media debate on what it means to be, and look, Japanese.

The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine and looks Caucasian, has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is a naturalised citizen. Over the years, Japan has further opened its doors to foreigners as a way to reverse its declining birthrate, one of the lowest in the world.