Biracial Miss Universe Japan brings racial issues to spotlight 03:54. Walking through the Shibuya section of Tokyo, Ariana Miyamoto certainly turns heads -- and she wants to use that attention to ...

The newly crowned Miss Universe Japan — who was born and raised in Nagasaki and speaks fluent Japanese — isn’t Japanese enough, some critics say. Ariana Miyamoto has had to defend… ...

Ariana Miyamoto (C) from Miyazaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, makes a speech in Tokyo on March 12 after being chosen to represent the country at this year's Miss Universe contest.

Miss Universe Japan Ariana Miyamoto poses during an exclusive interview with AFP in Tokyo on May 7, 2015. TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images. Tokyo -- Japan is thought of as a racially homogeneous nation.

"The face of Miss Universe Japan is obviously [that of] a foreigner!" griped another. "I wasn't surprised by it," Miyamoto says to Newsweek of her reaction. "I was expecting it, actually." ...

Ariana Miyamoto was recently crowned as Miss Universe Japan. She was born and raised in Nagasaki and speaks fluent Japanese. Yet, critics say she isn't "Japanese enough" to receive the title.

Japan's newest Miss Universe contestant broke barriers when she was recently chosen to represent her country. But because the 20-year-old is the daughter of a Japanese woman and an African ...

Nishikura told NBC that Miyamoto’s selection as Miss Universe Japan “is a huge step forward in expanding the definition of what it means to be Japanese.

Japan’s half-black Miss Universe says discrimination gives her ‘extra motivation’ May 13, 2015 More than 10 years ago Ariana Miyamoto entered the Miss Universe Japan beauty contest after a ...

Mixed reactions over Ariana Miyamoto’s victory has revived discussion over Japan’s treatment of mixed-race residents and its openness to diversity.

Mexico City - A 20-year-old dancer from Japan was crowned Miss Universe 2007 on Monday night, marking only the second time her country has won the world beauty title. Dressed in a black, red and ...

Miss Japan crowned Miss Universe. MEXICO CITY, May 29 (UPI) -- Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, a dancer, was crowned Miss Universe 2007 during the international competition in Mexico City.