Miss World Japan 2022 is Kana Yamaguchi
Kana Yamaguchi bested 30 other finalists (including her sister) to be crowned Miss World Japan 2022 on Thursday, September 22 at the Hulic Hall Tokyo.
The 24-year-old licensed teacher, model, and TV host from Toyama Prefecture succeeds last year's winner Tamaki Hoshi and will now prepare to represent Japan at the 71st Miss World pageant.
Years prior to winning her national title, the new Miss World Japan has never imagined standing in front of an audience. "I would be happy if my challenge could be someone's courage, strength, and hope. Thank you for giving me the chance to stand here again, and next time I will spread my wings to the world," she said in her bio for the competition.
Kana also wants a society where sports enrich the lives of children and increase the number of people who aim for a well-being lifestyle through sports. She believes that with her new position, she can communicate with the government and the board of education to realize it.
Apart from the ultimate winner in the glittering competition, Yuria Hirose, Nao Nakamura, and Kiana Tomita completed the Top 4 finalists and were announced as runners-up.
Japan has yet to win the Miss World pageant. The country's highest achievement so far was a third runner-up finish in 1956 with its first-ever representative Midoriko Tokura.
The final date and venue for the next Miss World edition have yet to be announced.
Meet the new Miss World Japan:
Photos: Mainichi Kirei / Kana Yamaguchi / Instagram