A Ukrainian-born model's win as Miss Japan has sparked debate over her identity, however she has insisted she is “Japanese in spirit”. Carolina Shiino moved to Japan at the age of five.

Crowned Miss Japan this week, Ukrainian-born Carolina Shiino cried with joy, thankful for the recognition of her identity as Japanese. But her Caucasian look rekindled an old question in a country ...

Karolina Shiino was crowned Miss Japan on Jan. 22, setting off renewed public debate over what it means to be Japanese in a country where homogeneity and conformity are still valued. In a message ...