TOKYO (AP) — Crowned Miss Japan this week, Ukrainian-born Karolina Shiino cried with joy, thankful for the recognition of her identity as Japanese. But her Caucasian look rekindled an old question in a country where many people value homogeneity and conformity: What does it mean to be Japanese? Shiino has lived in Japan since moving here at age 5 and became a naturalized citizen in 2022. But her crowning triggered a debate over whether she should represent Japan. Others said there was no problem with Shiino's crowning because her Japanese citizenship makes her Japanese.

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Persons: Karolina Shiino, Shiino, ” Shiino, I’ve, ”, Chiaki Horan, “ I've, “, Ariana Miyamoto, Naomi Osaka, Ayaka McGill Organizations: TOKYO, Miss, Miss Universe, Tokyo Games, AP Locations: Japan, Ukrainian, Miss Japan, Nagasaki, African American