article_snippet: But the 20-year-old beauty queen used Japan first television appearance after Japan selection to apologetically explain to reporters that while Japan doesn't 'look Japanese' on the outside, on the inside, there are 'many Japanese things about Japan'.
article_snippet: and 'Because this is Miss Universe Japan, don't you think hafu are a no-no?'
article_snippet: Others commented that she didn't 'look Japanese', she face was 'too gaijin', meaning literally 'outside person', or that the country deserved a 'pure-blooded Japanese' beauty.
article_snippet: When she returned home to Japan, after a part-time bartending job, she decided to become a model and try she hand at pageantry - not expecting to get far due to she 'foreigner look'.
article_snippet: she selection as the first-ever biracial Miss Universe Japan comes at a time when Japanese attitudes about race are beginning to change, NBC reports.
article_snippet: Ariana Miyamoto is aware of the struggles she faces as a 'hafu' beauty queen representing Japan. 
article_snippet: Nishikura told NBC that Ariana Miyamoto's selection as Miss Universe Japan 'is a huge step forward in expanding the definition of what it means to be Japanese.
article_snippet: Ariana Miyamoto is aware of the struggles Ariana Miyamoto faces as a 'hafu' beauty queen representing Japan.
highlights_snippet: has been selected to represent Japan in the Miss Universe pageant .
  
highlights_snippet: is 'Japanese on the inside' 