The search for Japan’s next representative to Miss Universe 2016 edition is on! While 45 provinces in Japan have confirmed their spokesperson for Miss Universe competition, the enthrallment to witness the new Japanese delegate is heating up. The winner of this pageant will represent Japan at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant next year and will hope to follow the footsteps of the predecessor, Ariana Miyamoto, Miss Universe Japan 2015 who marked Japan’s second placement in the top 10 semi-finals since 2007 at Miss Universe.

The luminous nation pageant is walking slowly and steadily, yet in full swing towards the finale. Japan has produced two Miss Universe winners till date. The Miss Universe Japan pageant was founded in the year 1998 and was headed by Ines Ligron till 2009.

Also See : The Winners of Miss Universe Japan 2015

Amidst all provinces, Tokyo is the most successful province at Miss Universe Japan pageant and holds the highest record of producing seven winners. Following Tokyo is Nagasaki which has produced two winners at the pageant, the recent being Ariana Miyamoto, who was also a Top 10 finalist at Miss Universe 2015.

Akiko Kojima who was crowned as Miss Universe 1959, was the first Asian to win Miss Universe crown. The second Japanese who wore the coveted Miss Universe crown was Riyo Mori, who was titled in 2007. Entering into alma mater of the luminaries are, Kurara Chibana, who is the only first runner-up from the country, Kinuko Ito, who was crowned as second runner-up at that 1953 edition of Miss Universe, Jun Shimada, second runner up at Miss Universe 1970 and  Mizuho Sakaguchi, who was adjudged as the third runner-up in Miss Universe 1988. Apart from these legendary beauty queens, Kikuyo Osuka and Miyako Miyazaki were titled as the fourth runner-ups at Miss Universe 1955 and Miss Universe 2003 respectively.

Also Read : Miss Universe Japan 2015 Controversy