Miss Japan Association/Handout via Reuters
The Ukrainian-born woman who was crowned Miss Japan last month amid controversy over her heritage has surrendered her title after a local magazine revealed she was having an affair with a married man.
Karolina Shiino offered a public apology on Instagram on Monday, writing: “I am truly sorry for the huge trouble I have caused and for betraying those who supported me.”
The scandal kicked off last week after the tabloid Shukan Bunshun first reported that Shiino had been having an affair with a married doctor. At that time, the Miss Japan pageant stood up for Shiino and insisted she had been unaware of the man’s marital status. But on Monday, organizers said they’d learned she had been lying and announced that she would be stepping down as Miss Japan.