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.

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Latest 15 of 31 Total Comments Show All

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  vajra at 02:30 AM JST - 13th November

  Classy .

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  eigonosensei at 03:27 AM JST - 13th November

  I agree. Ms Chibana is classy.

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  societymike at 08:26 AM JST - 13th November

  Our Okinawa beauty.

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  evaganda at 01:47 PM JST - 13th November

  Beauty and brains,indeed...

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  evaganda at 01:48 PM JST - 13th November

  I agree with sarge...she's beauty and brains,indeed!

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  meloveulongtime at 02:18 PM JST - 13th November

  give me Aki anyday over her...

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  naluvs at 04:57 PM JST - 13th November

  I agree that she is very smart that she graduate famous University in Japan, and also studied at foreign univeristy. I'm proud of her as one of people in okinawa. I think she won the Miss Universe contest because she is not just beauty girl, but also she is very active and She joined this contest because she wanted to do some charity. When I saw her on TV talk show, I thought her talking was very bright, and I impressed about her act that respecting other people around her. She has inner beauty. I think that's why she fade from public view.

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  daraho at 06:51 PM JST - 14th November

  Okinawans are a truly exceptional people who are often treated as second class citizens in Japan so it is particularly good to see Chibana do well. There should be no surprise at her good English as Okinawans are undoubtedly some of the most creative and innovative and Western savvy people as they have had to be to survive. Okinawa produces a disproportionate number of artists, musicians and models in Japan and has an excellent education system and lifestyle that makes people feel valued and supported when they are growing up. Chibana will be proud of her roots and the many differences that set her apart from Japanese mainlanders,desparate to claim her as one of their own, despite the fact Okinawa is the poorest prefecture in Japan and suffers greatly from occupation by US and Japanese military forces.

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  apecNetworks at 07:27 PM JST - 14th November

  Well, Kurara Chibana may get her chance to make things happen in her fields of interests since APEC will be in Japan for a year, and some of the participants can make things happen. She would be an excellent spokesperson, and noticed by her tall height as models need to be.l

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  Philmoscowitz at 09:38 PM JST - 14th November

  she looks so plain.

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  seeker1 at 07:36 AM JST - 15th November

  Plain? I guess you could say that she looks like the girl next door, and maybe that's part of her appeal. I much prefer her looks to a yamamba or those cookie-cutter kawai girls we see in the streets and on TV all the time. Very refreshing and very beautiful in my opinion. Keep up the good work, and hope for the best in your future endeavors.

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  nightvision at 08:05 PM JST - 15th November

  Finally, a glaring lack of cynics. Okinawan, for the Nth time... Yukie Nakama, Namie Amuro, Takako Uehara, Meisa Kuroki... I hope all of Japan was Okinawa, hehe.

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  helloklitty at 07:38 AM JST - 18th November

  I would like to here her views on educational philosophy. Over a cup of tea perhaps.

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  BurakuminDes at 11:05 PM JST - 18th November

  she looks so plain.

  Turn it up. The woman is breathtaking.

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  daraho at 08:12 AM JST - 19th November

  Okinawans are a truly exceptional people who are often treated as second class citizens in Japan so it is particularly good to see Chibana do well. There should be no surprise at her good English as Okinawans are undoubtedly some of the most creative and innovative and Western savvy people as they have had to be to survive. Okinawa produces a disproportionate number of artists, musicians and models in Japan and has an excellent education system and lifestyle that makes people feel valued and supported when they are growing up. Chibana will be proud of her roots and the many differences that set her apart from Japanese mainlanders,desperate to claim her as one of their own, despite the fact Okinawa is the poorest prefecture in Japan and suffers greatly from occupation by US and Japanese military forces.

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