Miss Universe Japan Hiroko Mima
PHOTO BY CASSIO

Reaching for the universe

By Chris Betros

TOKYO —

It seems very appropriate that this year’s Miss Universe Japan, Hiroko Mima, excels at high jump, since she is aiming for the highest bar of all on July 14 in Vietnam when she represents her country in the final – following in the footsteps of Riyo Mori who won last year, and Kurara Chibana, who was 1st runner-up in 2006.

Born in Tokushima, the 173-cm-tall Mima, 22, who has taken part in many national high jump contests, says she always wanted to be a physical education instructor. “I never saw many beauty contests on TV when I was growing up. I knew of Miss Japan, but didn’t know Miss Universe at all. Then I saw the news about Kurara, and last year, when Riyo won, I discovered we were the same age. I thought if she could do it, so could I.”

Mima’s determined spirit has not only propelled her onto the world stage; it has helped her through some difficult times. In junior high school, she had a serious spinal illness. Then her father died three years ago. “I didn’t confine myself to my room crying. My family and I all supported each other by talking about how enjoyable life was with him. Everybody remembers him in a positive way. I think he is looking over us from heaven. These tragedies made me realize we only get one life and I am determined to take on many challenges.”

Since being picked to represent Japan, Mima’s life has been a whirlwind of activity as she and Miss South Korea undergo training under the eye of Miss Universe Japan national director Ines Ligron. “Until I became the finalist, I didn’t have many opportunities to meet foreign people, so I didn’t know what kind of image of Japanese they have,” she explains. “Now that I am training with Miss South Korea, I wish I could talk with her about the difference in understanding of history between Japan and South Korea or what young people think about it. I am teaching myself English through DVDs.”

Mima thinks the image of Japanese women has been that they are shy and modestly respect men. “Recently, though, young women are more independent and don’t hesitate to express their own ideas. That’s the image of Japanese women I wish to project to the world.” She believes that true beauty comes from within, not from makeup and clothes. “I know a lot of people criticize beauty contests, but they are not just about appearance. It’s about who we are inside and what we can do. I would like to visit children who suffer from the same illness I had and give them a smile.”

Mima said she has become interested in African issues after seeing the film “Hotel Rwanda.” “It made me think about refugee issues and racial conflicts. Although I couldn’t understand all the dialogue (because it was in English), I was moved and cried.”

As Miss Universe Japan, a whole new world is opening up for Mima. “I was raised in a small town in Tokushima. There, time passes slowly and people live slowly. In Tokyo, people are always walking quickly. I feel restless here.” Now that she is in the limelight of the big city, Mima’s fashion style has changed, too. “I never was very fashion conscious. I’m an athlete, so I liked sportswear. I don’t have any specific style yet. Rather, I would like to be a woman who looks good in different styles.”

Mima has put her PE studies at college on hold for this year, but still likes to exercise at the gym. So does her kind of guy have to be sports-minded? “I do like sportsmen; however, what is most important for me is that they should be ‘smart.’ I don’t mean smart in terms of academic ability. I mean men who enjoy their lives in a smart manner are attractive.”

Latest 15 of 46 Total Comments Show All

PrinceskaNo1 at 09:59 PM JST - 3rd July

who are the sponsors of the event? If Mikimoto jewelry, then she may win.
rjd_jr at 07:41 AM JST - 4th July

>

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4182

more pics. I, um, er, don't think she'll win this year.

>

Are you serious? She looks gorgeous there. By the way, that same japan probe page has a good discussion thread going on about how she looks.

Glad I am not the only one quite disturbed by what some people think a "real" Japanese woman should look like. Normally, I think most people would celebrate that this year's Miss Japan has 'dark/southeast asian' features, as it shows the diversity of Japanese women. I mean, look at Hiroko's legs and body, absolutely smoking, fabulous curves that look like an athlete (as she is). The point is that she will wow many people that not all JP women are pale, light skinned women you see in the swimsuit models or actresses.

Best of luck to her!
urufuls at 08:43 AM JST - 4th July

Well, she was crowned Miss Universe Japan by official judges, so somebody must think she is worthy to go to the pageant.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and judging just by her looks, I bet most of the guys posting here would love to "be holding" her.
RMGTTF at 10:57 AM JST - 4th July

Beauty contests are about who they are, inside. Not about looks

Haahahahahaha... oh wait... you are serious..?... right?
PrinceskaNo1 at 11:45 AM JST - 4th July

To me she looks like a Philippines girl. Philippines beauties have won the pageant many times. But I think the pageant winners are selected politically. this year will win an Asian girl, that year Latin american, etc... Beauty is subjetcive thing, what one thinks beautiful, others do not find so extraordinary. The problem with Mima is that she does not have breasts. Have you noticed that?
RMGTTF at 11:57 AM JST - 4th July

To me she looks like a Philippines girl. Philippines beauties have won the pageant many times.

Yeah, like 2 times
wilbur at 12:23 PM JST - 4th July

i hope there are better pics than those on japanprobe...she's got no rack, kinda chunky thighs, and a weird smile...i see hotter japanese girls on the streets every day
tokyotom at 01:52 PM JST - 4th July

not hot
nandakandamanda at 03:06 PM JST - 4th July

It must be something to do with her intellect.
GUNOT at 09:35 PM JST - 4th July

call me
Sarge at 09:45 PM JST - 4th July

wilbur / tokyotom - You guys need some new glasses.
Terrikus at 10:20 PM JST - 4th July

wilbur / tokyotom - You guys need some new glasses.

No, no Sarge. We simply don't have their standards. Of course, they're also so shallow, they're standing on shore.
Sarge at 10:31 PM JST - 4th July

Mima: "I know a lot of people criticize beauty pageants, but they are not just about appearance. It's about who we are inside and what we can do. I would like to visit countries where children have the same illness I had and give them a smile."

I love her attitude.
TheDonald at 07:09 AM JST - 6th July

That is one beautiful woman. Nuff said.
Sarge at 02:18 PM JST - 14th July

Miss Venezuela is the new Miss Universe. Runner-up is Miss Columbia. South America rules this year! Still think Hiroko here is a total babe...