Miss Universe Japan 2016 Contestants

A new Miss Universe Japan will be crowned on March 1st. The winner will have the opportunity to represent her country at Miss Universe 2016.

Ariana Miyamoto will crown her successor at the end of the event. After her victory in march 2015 she faced some criticism on social media for not appearing to be Japanese; she is the first hāfu (multiracial) woman to be Miss Japan. As Miss Universe Japan Miyamoto competed at Miss Universe 2015, she made the TOP 10.

The Miss Universe Japan pageant was created in 1998 in response to Japan's then-recent lack of finalists at Miss Universe. It is a branch from the former Miss Japan pageant. Until 2007, the organisation managed to produce one winner - Akiko Kojima in 1959 - two top 5 runners-up and one top 15 semifinalist at the Miss Universe pageant. They finally won a second Miss Universe Crown in 2007 with Riyo Mori.

Miss Universe Japan 2016 Contestants

Miss HOKKAIDO Kanako Hirayama


Miss AOMORI Aiko Mikata


Miss IWATE Asami Orui