The final 11 Miss Universe Japan contestants have kicked off a two-week beauty camp at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, where the ladies will stay together and refine their techniques before the winner is announced on March 9.
Three of the sexy ladies, Chie Ishii, 22, Moeko Fukuda, 22, and Maiko Itai, 25, attended a press conference with Ines Ligron, who has been national director of Miss Universe Japan since being appointed to the position by Donald Trump in 1998.
Ligron said: "What I want most from the girls during the next two weeks is for them to have a good think about who they are and how they are going to convey that to the world."
She added: "This year we're looking for a girl who can express herself clearly and embodies Japan. Until now, we've put forward a strong and even shocking image to counter the one the world has of Japanese girls being shy and weak. We're going to change our approach this year, putting forward a more traditional image and one of a smart, pure and sophisticated young woman. I want her to show off her Japaneseness as much as possible, so I'd like to see her in a kimono at some point."
Ishii said on the upcoming training: "I'm really looking forward to it. I hope to feel myself growing every day, and take on board Ligron's important advice."
Fukuda added: "It's the first time for finalists to live together, and whether I'll be able to adjust to it is a key point for me. I hope to be myself during the next two weeks and build on the experience each day."
© Japan Today
45 Comments
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PepinGalarga
it's been a couple months since their JT debut and they still don't know how to dress classily. Keep ligron away from Kimonos please, last year was a disaster.
anyway, wish i was staying there at the same time.
zurcronium
pictures??
Metaphile
I think Japan's run at the international Beuty titles are over for while. I think they need to get rid of Ligron. At this point she is just fleecing these young women. She is making money of their dream when Ligron knows almost all of those women don't have chance at competing internationally. Unless, you look at it as showing them how to find rich husbands.
Sarge
Fantastic!
Branded
"We’re going to change our approach this year, putting forward a more traditional image and one of a smart, pure and sophisticated young woman."
So what do we get ? Mini skirts, go-go boots, strapless tube tops, and "heels" ! Yep, pretty traditional.
Jkanda
What is Ligron still doing here after that huge publicity flop with the kimono last year? Jgirls are beautiful and you don't need that show from Trump to prove this.
pawatan
Larger pictures, pls.
my2sense
As much I look at eye candy and love my wife.... have always thought this thing including Japanese women are overrated. 99.9 percent bloodline is like trying to pick the most beautiful apple off a tree and you catch my drift and I never figure out how they pick the top 10 outta 3000. Anyway stop making them look like dorks old lady and one may take the crown.... Womanforwomen... me thinks too but on the other hand I think their counterpart have to be the least attractive.... kinda makes ya wonder about the whole 99.9 % thing and it always strikes in my mind, the sararyman-chain-smoking-farting father....ewwwwww
my2sense
case in pointo... has there ever been a mixed finalist?
TumbleDry
Me think this year will be the ugly shoes year. Is the competition about having the "most beautiful girls" in the ugliest outfit?
nath
My free advice: Step away from the " DT Enterprises sponsored creative coach", and bring in an old school mama-san, to teach these girls how to project themselves. The tart approach is common.
herefornow
branded -- stole my thought. Smart, pure, and sophisticated are not the first three words that came to my mind based on the picture. Vacuous, cheap and low-class were more what came to my mind. Does Ligron ever get out of Harajuku and Shibuya?
zurcronium
yes yes and OMG yes
rosujin
Wow. I guess fashion is cyclical. During my 3 years on Osaka between '03 and '06, most j-chicks wouldn't be caught dead in shoes that exposed their toes (except for getas in the summer).
ratpack
The one in the middle yes yes yes. beauty camp???? i'd love to be a fly on the wall.
ratpack
i meant to say the one in the middles legs....yes yes yes.
Richard_III
The two on the left and right are way too thin. Look at their arms. That level of thinness is not beautiful in my opinion.
nisegaijin
Larger pics! More pics!!
incognito12
All that camping for the glory of Trump.
If they really want to go traditional - they should start with telling Trump to back off. How arrogant of Trump to impose his standard of beauty (the fashion model type)on other cultures via Ligron- his lab technician.
Junnama
She must mean after this particular photo shoot...
GW
Ahhh the good ole shubiya sleeze fashion, if done right is nice but most of the time its just...........well sleezy LOL
goddog
I did not know tatoos were allowed for beauty contests.
IvanCoughalot
Me too. This picture's too small.
Jkanda
@zurconium
uh what? uh what? OMG uh what? Yes, this kind is very rare in the part of Tokyo where I live. What I see every day is the regular Jgirls who are so naturally beautiful. Even the obasans in my neighborhood are gentle and charming.
Tatoo stickers are fun and good for parties.
stirfry
nice pic of 3 definite non-winners
sillygirl
what part of fashion don`t they understand. they look like tramps. oh well, they really should get rid of that french chick that had her "own" ideas and destroyed the kimono.
zurcronium
womanforwomen,
you seem more interested than me, that would explain your alias.
Do you live in one of the three places in Japan known for female beauty.
Jkanda
zurc, for your information Jland is full of beautiful women. oh by the way about my alias, what an intelligent inference! have a nice day!
goddog
Japanese chicks have cute toes in general so should show them.
Junnama
The white 80's power jacket in the middle is too much!! With thigh high boots no less...
misoshiro
A day at the circus.
SushiSake3
Why is the term 'ladies' (see above article) used to refer to pretty young women who are either being objectified (ie: in these kinds of beauty pagents) or used for other dodgy purposes? Anyone else notice this? IMO, it's a pschological self preservation mechanism typically triggered by guilt.
SushiSake3
My theory strongly implies the writer of the above article (I didn't see a name) knows full well Miss U is nothing more than a publically acceptable way for grown men to ogle babes while saying things like 'What a nice dress.' But hey, we all knew that. :-)
pawatan
Is there something wrong with being beautiful and showing it off? I think not. What is wrong with the term ladies?
oberst
really, we need bigger pic to offer accurate accessment of the beauties pesented here in this mini pic. So my comment is.....i think they look ok , sort of.
yourock
Can I attend? In need of beauty and all.
marushka
They are cute, but they are so cheaply dressed, more like cabaret girls as misses who will represent Japan
Mocheake
No curves and same body style. I see better looking women even in my drab neighborhood.
JoiceRojo
Yeah I think so... These girls going to a camp, I don´t know why it reminded me of "Rock of Love-Charm School" reality show with Sharon Osbourne... If these girls are going with Legron... Japan doesn't stand a chance!
Her sense of fashion is great for parties, but not for this kind of contest...
stevecpfc
As well dressed as a 3 year old girl randomly picking clothes from mum wardrobe. Does beuty camp entail dressing like an idiot?
PASHA_51
These gals are supposed to improve their hairstyles and attire to look more attractive and prettier to attract the judges.
PepinGalarga
Definitely Ligron and Trump are milking these women for every last cent. Anyone know how much this "training" costs every week? Must be in the thousands of dollars a head.
These girls shouldn't quit their main jobs in the Kyabakura.
AzabuSamurai
I want to be a beauty judge and critic.
apecNetworks
National director of Miss Universe Japan Ines Ligron has demonstrated that she can prepare the candidate to reach the top five if the candidate has certain personal qualities. Winning the Crown is more the inner qualities of the candidate.
dokshinshatcho
yes but are they wearing jewellery ? .pretty gals !!!! honto tonto !