End of an Era: Long-Standing Miss Contest Calls It Quits Amid Dwindling Entrants

Culture | December 19, 2025
Japan beauty pageant tradition cultural shift women's empowerment social change

After facing a drastic decline in participants, the celebrated 47-year-old beauty contest in Japan has decided to call it quits. The decrease in applicants points towards a shift in societal values regarding beauty pageants, reflecting changes in the youth's attitude towards these competitions. The decision, announced recently, has spurred discussions about the relevance of beauty pageants in contemporary society and the implications for future cultural events.

Beauty pageants in Japan were traditionally seen as a platform for young women to gain social recognition. However, recent years have shown a shift in outlook, with an increasing number of young people questioning the idea of beauty standards judged on a competitive scale. There is also a growing emphasis on individuality, self-empowerment, and diverse definitions of beauty.

In the US and EU, there is a similar ongoing debate about the relevance of beauty pageants. These contests have faced criticism for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and for emphasizing physical appearance rather than holistic development. Some contests have evolved to incorporate talent and intelligence recognitions, but public interest has noticeably waned over time.

Information for Your Country

For individuals outside Japan who are interested in understanding cultural shifts and societies' perceptions of beauty standards, they may find articles from global media sites like BBC and The Guardian helpful. For scholarship opportunities, they can refer to various international cultural exchange programs such as Fulbright and MEXT.