Priyanka Yoshikawa
Priyanka Yoshikawa, born to an Indian father and a Japanese mother, won the Miss Japan title in Tokyo on Sept. 5.
Her victory was reportedly discouraged by several critics who felt that a ‘pure’ Japanese should represent their country at the beauty pageant, leading to outrage on social media on racial inequality.
Yoshikawa said she would use her title to promote greater inclusiveness in Japan where, according to government statistics, those born with one non-Japanese parent comprised 2 percent of all children born in 2012.