Japan wins its first Miss International title

More than 60 women competed for the title of Miss International Beauty 2012 in Okinawa, Japan. Nearly 200,000 people from around the world tuned in to the live six hour broadcast on Ustream as Ikumi Yoshimatsu (Japan), was crowned Miss International Beauty 2012. Yoshimatsu is the first woman from Japan to win the title which is produced and organized by the Japanese. Yoshimatsu's court includes from L-R: 4th runner-up, Nicole Huber (Paraguay), 2nd runner-up, Madusa Mayadunne (Sri Lanka), 1st runner-up Viivi Suominen (Finland), Yoshimatsu, and 3rd runner-up, Melody Mir (Dominican Republic). The Miss International Beauty Pageant prides itself on having contestants who serve as “Ambassadors of Peace and Beauty.” According to the history of the competition, contestants are expected to “show tenderness, benevolence, friendship, beauty, intelligence, ability to take action, and a great international sensibility.” The goal of the international beauty pageant is to, “promote world peace, goodwill, and understanding.” Completing the top 15 were the delegates from the Philippines, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Namibia, United Kingdom, Venezuela, USA, India and Haiti. Source: Critical Beauty