Reaching for the Universe

Why such a painful expression, Itai? ! Picture goes to my 'save' file because i may not find her in July contest.

Not that much to write home about from this picture. She certainly looks tall.

Also, did the girl in the white mini really make it to the top 11???

Congrats! I hope she does well.

It'd be nice if the foreground were in focus in this picture...

not a great picture

agree "itai!" no chibana or mori that is for sure

when i was there three years ago, i never thought that this quiet, small port city of usuki would produce a future miss universe japan!

Also, did the girl in the white mini really make it to the top 11???

That's a white mini?! I thought it was a bath towel.

they all look alike

the french director chick looks like she gonna plant one on an unwilling candidate

Is it the dress, or does she have virtually no chest?

I like her!

she'd do in a pinch I guess

ouch indeed

she is a what? you gotta be joking. someone needs their beer goggles removed!

Someone tell that woman on the left that Pat Benatar wants her silver leggings back!

She had the good sense to wear a classy dress(as opposed to most of the women in the background).

The dress is so beautiful, like a work of art, like a painting, love the colors and the design...as if a talented painter drew it. ooooh such a gorgeous dress....cry cry cry

but the hairstyle is not good at all.

Some of you guys have such high standards. I'm guessing she'd be in tears that men of your calibre would turn you down.

As for me, I think she looks great.

Miss Hawaii???

Why hte hell is she wearing a mumu? Golden Girls called, they want their house dress back.

More pics: http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/life/trend/100309/trd1003092259005-p1.htm

The fact that Trump has a say at the national level as to who Japan should send to his toy-pageant by having his scout select a Miss Japan according to his standards is very troubling...

I can't belive so many are running her down based on one out-of--focus picture. Wait to see more pictures, videos, and hear her talk first!

Wait, I can believe people rush to judgment - this is JT.

I still like her!

Golden Girls called, they want their house dress back

ahahaha

Random Shibuya Girl > This woman.

looks like she is trying to smile while she is crying...this picture probably doesn't do her justice.

@ namabiru4me, thanks for the link.

@all "would turn her down", not "would turn you down". Sorry :-)

The colours of her clothing, in this photo, are tops to my eye. As for appearance, hair, or such she is a good looking gal in my mind. Congratulations to her & best in the future.

Some of the juvenile comments posted here(and sure to be continued in the future)remind me of the reaction that Riyo Mori faced when selected Miss Universe, that she wasn't "cute". Well you're right, Ms. Itai and Ms. Mori aren't cute, they're sexy adult looking women.

I don't think anybody has said anything about cuteness or sexiness... some folks are saying she's not good looking or that her dress is terrible!

Beauty is old skin deep....but who cares.

She looks beautiful....

What can you say in a comment on this? Either you sound like a horn-dog, gushing about her beauty or you sound like one of the runner-ups, nit-picking every little deviation from your secret "ideal woman".

Without being able to see the contestants she was competing against, I cannot comment on whether she was the best choice, but the judges certainly seemed to think so.

too slim

She is Every bit Worthy of the CROWN!!

damn bangs...women should not have bangs...leave the bangs for little girls

Thanks for the link, namabiru4me. She is going to be a tough competitor.

Women shouldn't have bangs? I've never heard that before.

women with bangs look like little girls to me...maybe that is just me...I am goofy after all :)

This girl looks like she needs a few Big Macs in her frail little boney body.

A pretty standard looker from the hordes of standard pretty J-women. Great dress. Not too skinny. Well, Japan is a great place with this type of standard model around. Yes, I wish her luck but doubt she will win as she is not western sexy enough. I like her, though!

why do they call 'em bangs? Anyway - the cutesy girly thing is cultural - a woman can be both a mature adult and also cutesy fun loving and entertaining (maybe kinda like american men - adults who love their toys and live and work to play).

Guess the lady gaga look is in this year

I don't like pageants to start with, but this girl does not seem likely to stand a chance at the Miss Universe. There are other photos of her out there. Just not impressive, despite the effort with the mumu.

I have to agree there are far more stunning candidates wandering around the city today who could hold a better chance.

Those who say the dress is terrible do no have any exquisite sense or taste. The dress does not look cheap, just virbant and energizing. It is not boring one color dress with lack of imagination.

The dress has amazingly matching to perfection colors, expressing the strokes of a brush; both the overflowing colors and the selection of the colors is so breathtaking, the asymetrical line, the elegance of the pattern, everything is so lovely and perfect. i am tired of boring black dresses, the flower design is so vibrant and modern, yet keeping the tradition of Japanese kimono in a good way. A+ for fashion design.

Guess the lady gaga look is in this year

lady gaga is an american mass product which can be sold only in USA and Japan. i think comparing this elegant dress to lady gaga's outfits is very insulting.

I think they were talking about her hair when they mentioned the Lady Gaga look; they weren't talking about the dress. As for the dress...hmmm...not sure if I like it or not. Like the colours and the cut of the body, but that poofy pirate sleeve just doesn't look right next to the sleekness of the body. Oh well...she is Miss Universe and I am certainly not...doubt that dress would any good at all on someone else...she at least does it a bit of justice.

too ugly and thin for me...100% pass on her any day...

I think this color will look great on people with blue eyes.

I think her name is great

Sorry but not for me. A good mother or wife or a good female athlete in any sport is more acceptable.

ootsukushi Maiko -chan gambatte babe !

I think bangs are a classic young Japanese women's look. You see it all over the place on stylish, well-dressed 20-something women. I think it's a nice look and doesn't look childish in the slightest!

Back to the future - timeline 1987.

" and a world peace":) lol, she is cute, i like her dress

LoveUSA: after reading your comments regarding dress, fully agreed with you. imho this dress would look better on someone with blue // green eyes. it doesnt look bad on her, but i think it doesnt really show her own personality...

lady gaga is an american mass product which can be sold only in USA and Japan. i think comparing this elegant dress to lady gaga's outfits is very insulting.

I was referring to the hairstyle not the dress.

was referring to the hairstyle not the dress.

ok, lady gaga is more provokative with her hair I think

it doesnt look bad on her, but i think it doesnt really show her own personality...

I think the opposite, it looks excellent on her because she is tall and thin. I think she is creative and expresses herself throuh her wear. Usually Japanese people do not like strong colors, so I think she is brave.

The lady with the yellow dress has also a good fashion sense.

Yeah, agree about the random shibuya girl > this chick comment. Those hotties usually have a bit more meat on them and look dirtier, which is way better.

And Miss UNIVERSE Japan. How does that work?

sugamosumo: too ugly and thin for me...100% pass on her any day...

Hahaha

No really. What, are you feeder?

How can you tell she is thin when she is not wearing tight clothing.

and i dont like her shoes, imho not matching with this dress

How can you tell she is thin when she is not wearing tight clothing.

Well that right arm is pretty obvious.

And yes, the shoes are too klunky for that dress (which I think is very nice and would set off my eyes perfectly if only I were about a foot taller)

Namabiru thanks for the link

Her face looks better on the other photos, but her swimsuit photos make me want to go back in time and give her the oreo I just ate.

Good luck to her anyway.

"her swimsuit photos make me want to go back in time and give her the oreo I just ate"

If you didn't eat the oreos, you might just look as in shape as she is.

Not too bad, not too bad... I like the dress but as someone already pointed out, the shoes does not match with that dress.

Pretty, and I like her dress in this photo....

Gambatekudasai maiko-chan! sugoi kawai. la tchika mui bonita.