10 things about Miss Universe Japan 2025 Kaori Hashimoto

Kaori Hashimoto (橋本 佳央理) won the 28th edition of Miss Universe Japan. She represented Japan in the 74th edition of Miss Universe.

BIOGRAPHY

Hashimoto is a Japanese kendoka and beauty queen from Tochigi, Japan. She is bilingual.

Aside from kendo, Hashimoto also enjoys dancing. Here are 10 more things about her:

1. She was born and raised in Tochigi.
2. She started her kendo training in junior high school.
3. She is the 72nd beauty queen to represent Japan in Miss Universe.
4. She was born in 2004.
5. In 2021, she entered the university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business.
6. In 2025, she visited Canada and Thailand.
7. She ranked first at Best of Miss Tochigi 2025.
8. She completed a lifesaving course while reigning as Miss Universe Tochigi 2025.
9. She won Miss Universe Japan 2025.
10. She was a Miss Universe 2025 semifinalist.

TIMELINE

Hashimoto speaks Japanese and English. One of the women she looks up to is French fashion designer Coco Chanel, who died in Paris, France on January 10, 1971 at age 87.

2025

• In February 2025, she traveled to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• On March 14, 2025, she competed against five other 2025 Best of Miss Tochigi candidates at Light Cube Utsunomiya in Utsunomiya, Tochigi. She ranked first and was crowned Miss Universe Tochigi 2025.
• On April 27, 2025, she met Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Theilvig.
• In May 2025, she visited Okinawa, Japan and took an advanced lifesaving course at Akasaka Fire Station in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
• In June 2025, she visited Osaka, Japan.
• On July 16, 2025, she represented Tochigi at Miss Universe Japan 2025 and competed against 41 other candidates at the Sakura Hall of the Shibuya Cultural Center Owada in Shibuya, Tokyo. She won the title.
• On November 21, 2025, she represented Japan at Miss Universe 2025 and competed against 119 other candidates at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand. She finished in the Top 30.