Ukrainian-Born Miss Japan Sparks Debate on What It Means to Be Japanese

TOKYO—The crowning of Ukrainian-born model Karolina Shiino as the winner of the Miss Japan contest this week has triggered a social media debate on what it means to be, and look, Japanese. The 26-year-old model, who was born in Ukraine and looks Caucasian, has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is a naturalized citizen. Over the years, Japan has further opened its doors to foreigners as a way to reverse its declining birthrate, one of the lowest in the world. “I live as a Japanese person, but there have been racial barriers and many instances where I wasn’t accepted,” Ms. Shiino said in fluent Japanese during a tearful acceptance on Monday....