By Chris Betros

Arts & Culture Nov. 12, 2009 - 04:39AM JST ( 36 )

TOKYO —

Many women who enter a beauty contest soon fade from public view after all the glitz and glamour. But not Kurara Chibana, who was Miss Universe 1st runner-up in 2006. Bright and outgoing, the 27-year-old has used her experience in the contest as a platform for building a career and widening her horizons.

“I’m working with the WFP (World Food Program) now, and I travel a lot as a reporter for a TV program sponsored by the Foreign Ministry. I’ve been going to developing countries 3 or 4 times a year,” says Chibana in excellent English. “At first, when I saw the poverty, I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do or say that would make a difference – except a smile.”

Born in Naha, Chibana spent two years in France and Spain in between her studies at Sophia University, where she majored in educational philosophy. The idea of entering a beauty contest was alien to her. “I didn’t know anything about such contests. But I wanted to get involved in charity work, so I thought that would be a good way,” she says. “I decided to enter the contest and see how I felt. I won Miss Universe Japan and went to the world finals. It was so much fun and inspired me a lot. Miss Universe was not my goal but something I could use.”

Besides her TV work and charity activities, Chibana appears on the cover of Domani magazine each month. “I enjoy modeling. It’s like acting without words,” she explains. Being in the public eye, Chibana is conscious of the fact that she is a role model for many young Japanese women. She is constantly being asked for advice on her blog by women of all ages. “It’s important to aspire to something,” says Chibana who cites French actress Anouk Aimee, French first lady Carla Bruni and the late Audrey Hepburn as her own role models.

And what advice does she give to Japanese women? “Dream big. It is also important to build self-confidence, although in Japan, that can sometimes work against you. In Japanese culture, some people equate self-confidence with having a big ego. Then because you fear rejection, you hide your passion and eventually, it becomes difficult to hold onto your beliefs and dreams. My advice would be to establish yourself around people you can trust, like friends and family, until you become self-assured.”

Chibana is also keenly aware of her role as an ambassador for Japan. “I think there are many great things Japan does around the world that we should be proud of, such as the ODA (official development assistance) activities and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who reach out to help foreign countries in need. I’d like to see more promotion about what they are doing.”

Chibana has lost count of the number of countries she has been to. “I love talking to local people and seeing their situation. I always learn something from them.” She gets asked to attend a lot of charity functions, usually opting for those to do with children and women’s issues. As an Okinawan, how does she feel about the U.S. bases? “The U.S. military has provided a lot of jobs and other forms of economic support. I am not sure whether Okinawans would indeed benefit from the bases being removed. But it does seem better for more people to not have such a big U.S. presence there,” she answers.

Despite her hectic schedule, the 173-cm-tall Chibana keeps in shape. “I do stretch exercises every day and walk and run, when I can,” she says. “I don’t worry too much about my appearance when I go out. I don’t have to wear a disguise or anything. When I have a day off, I like to relax at home, listening to music or reading. Right now, I am reading Masako Shirasu (a noted essayist and the first woman to perform in traditional noh plays.)”

Always fashionable, Chibana says black is her favorite color for autumn and winter. And being an Okinawan, it has taken her some time to get used to the cold winters. “I love those Heat Tech products,” she says, referring to the thermal undershirts which convert moisture into heat.

What does the future hold? “I am planning to study nutrition science at university. Last year, when I went to Zambia, I saw many malnourished kids. I was shocked. I live in Japan and don’t have to worry about food, but food issues are becoming very important worldwide. Also, I am often asked in interviews what I eat every day to keep in good condition. So I have to know about nutrition,” she says.