Juri Watanabe (渡邉珠理), 26, was born in Meguru, Tokyo, Japan. In November 2016, she was crowned Miss Asia USA 2016, making her the first Japanese woman to win the title.
On September 22, 2021, Watanabe competed against 31 other Miss Universe Japan 2021 candidates in Tokyo and won the title. The respective first, second, third and fourth runners-up were Izumi Nishida of Hokkaido, Airi Hasuo of Tokyo, Saria Oikawa of Iwate and Sachino Fukuuchi of Hyogo.
Miss Universe Japan 2022
On August 25, 2022, Watanabe will crown her successor at Yamano Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is the 25th edition of the national beauty pageant that selects Japan’s Miss Universe candidate.
Currently, Japan has 20 Miss Universe placements, including two crowns. Representing the East Asian country, Akiko Kojima, 84, of Tokyo and Riyo Mori, 34, of Shizuoka won the title in 1959 and 2007, respectively.
There are 36 women competing for the Miss Universe Japan 2022 title. If facial beauty is the only criterion, these will be my Top 10 candidates:
10. Ranka Sato
9. Mirika Matsumoto
8. Kozue Kanzaki
7. Kanami Hirai
6. Shizuka Ichimura
5. Erika Ishibashi
4. Risa Hosaka
3. Chiaki Morita
2. Jeni Sugahara
1. Kana Takada
Japan was represented in Miss Universe by the winner of Miss Japan from 1952 to 1995 and Miss Universe Japan since 1998. Hiroko Mima, 36, has been the national director of Miss Universe Japan since 2018.
On July 14, 2008, Mima represented Japan at Miss Universe 2008 and competed against 79 other candidates at the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam. She finished in the Top 15.
On December 12, 2021, Watanabe represented Japan at Miss Universe 2021 and competed against 79 other candidates in Eilat, Israel. She finished in the Top 16.
CONAN Daily 