Priyanka Yoshikawa was an unlikely winner but a winner nonetheless at the Miss Japan beauty contest held this year in Japan. The Haafu (Japanese for half) girl has since then put on a brave face while facing criticism pouring in on social media over race, color and ‘pure breed’. Priyanka comes from a family of Indian and Japanese origins and has spent her growing years in Tokyo itself.
The debate in particular is reeling around people questioning the physical aspects of Priyanka especially her olive colored skin and contesting that ‘pure bred Japanese features do not seem to be winning girls pageants in Japan any more’. The argument is sharper this year since last year too Japan was represented by Arianna Miyamotto, a black woman at the Miss World forum. While there are those who support the unconventional win of the Indian Japanese race girl there are many others who feel insulted by the choice of the winner. Mixed race children only make up for 2% of the current population of the island country.
Commenting on the racial slurs Priyanka has had to face online she said to a national newspaper that it was nothing new and since her childhood she has had to face similar bullying which turned her into a stronger human being ready to face challenges without feeling week.
