Miss Grand Japan 2025: A message of peace on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, Miss Grand Japan 2025 will be held on the luxury cruise ship MSC Bellissima. 18 contestants will send out their wishes for peace.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Miss Grand International is an international beauty pageant whose mission is to "STOP THE WAR and VIOLENCE" worldwide. Miss Grand Japan 2025, which will decide Japan's representative, will be held on September 10, 2025, aboard the MSC Bellissima, one of the world's largest luxury cruise ships.
The judges for this competition are a diverse group of people who are well versed in the international stage and have a keen eye for identifying talent who can succeed on the world stage, as well as the production skills. Furthermore, they have an understanding of LGBTQ+ and the ability to communicate socially, making them a perfect embodiment of the competition's philosophy.
We are now announcing the five judges and 18 finalists selected from across the country.

design by ggraph

5 Judges


Takatomo Nozawa: Music producer
He was in charge of Matsumoto Iyo, Oginome Yoko, Super Eight, Fairies, and others, as well as SMAP for 10 years after their debut. He built a golden age for the group with songs like "Aoi Inazuma," "SHAKE," and "Yozora no Mukou." In recent years, he has been active as an artist, becoming the first Asian to perform live at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, Italy.


Sumire: Actress and singer
Born in Tokyo. After studying theater at Carnegie Mellon University, she began her career as an actress and singer. Overseas, she has appeared in the TV drama "Hawaii Five-0" and the film "The Amazing Journey from the Cabin of the Gods," and in Japan she has been active in numerous musicals and music projects. In 2025, she released her international debut song "Love Everlasting" as part of the music project "ALKAMIRE," and has continued to expand her range of activities, appearing in films such as "Rules of Living" and "Moon's Ice."


Hiraku: Director of Nakamura Keith Haring Collection
Raised in New York, served as creative director under American designer Patricia Field and also worked as a nightlife personality and model. Drawing on own life experiences as a racial and sexual minority living in the United States, actively contributing to the visibility and rights of LGBTQ+ people.


Machida Morelli Yayoi: Miss Grand Japan Vice President
She represent Japan in the 2023 Miss Grand Japan competition. At the global competition, she won the Best National Costume award and was also named one of the world's top five in the Grand Voice Award, which is given to outstanding performers. As an entrepreneur, she is dedicated to activities that promote sexual wellness.


Eriko Yoshii: Miss Grand Japan National Director
Born in Akita City. Participated in the world competition as the first Miss Grand Japan representative for Japan. Also serves as producer of Mr. Gay Japan. Active as a working mom model for the magazines Tamago Club and Hiyoko Club. Appointed as the Japan Ambassador for RDD (World Rare Disease Day), she is also actively involved in social activities.

Special Guest

Additionally, it has been announced that Ms. Christine Juliane Opiaza, winner of the Miss Grand International, and Ms. Teresa, Vice President of Miss Grand International s, will be visiting Japan as special guests to rise the excitement of the event.

From Japan to the world. 18 finalists compete in the competition
After going through document screening, video screening, interviews, and an intermediate screening, many candidates were left in tears. The 18 women who made it through this rigorous process came from a diverse range of backgrounds, from current high school students to working adults, students, company employees, entrepreneurs, and actresses. They will take their "first step into the world" aboard MSC Cruises' luxury liner, Bellissima.

[Miss Grand Japan 2025 Finalists]



About the venue, MSC Bellissima
MSC Cruises has been operating this cruise ship since March 2019, with a maximum passenger capacity of 5,655 and a gross tonnage of 171,598 tons. It is one of the largest cruise ships calling at Japan, boasting 11 restaurants, over 20 bars and lounges, and luxurious facilities such as the ability to host world-class theater shows.
The ship also boasts 103 luxurious suites called the MSC Yacht Club.
In addition to a private lounge, restaurant, and pool, guests can enjoy 24-hour butler service.


MSC Bellissima
About MSC Group
MSC Group (headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland) is one of the world's largest privately held shipping companies with a history spanning more than 300 years. Its cruise division, MSC Cruises, is the world's third-largest cruise brand, comprised of two brands: a contemporary brand and a luxury brand. It is a market leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and South Africa, and is the fastest-growing global cruise brand, expanding its presence in the Caribbean, North America, and Asia. MSC Cruises currently owns 23 cruise ships and has decided on a major investment plan to build four new ships by 2030. Its luxury brand, Explorer Journey, currently owns two ships, with four more due to debut by 2028.
https://www.msccruises.jp/
Prizes for winners
Winner
- Eligible to compete in the Miss Grand International, the world's largest beauty pageant.
- Full coverage of travel and accommodation expenses to the competition (total value of 4-5 million yen)
- Costumes provided by world-class designers
- From MSC Cruises: Choose your 2026 cruise itinerary (select from cruises departing anywhere in the world, not just Japan) / One balcony room for two adults
- From JOTT JAPAN: Luxury Jacket
- From Milbon Co., Ltd.: Global Milbon PREMIUM Position Shampoo & Conditioner (6-month supply)
- From Hirose Co., Ltd.: Epsom Salt Sea Crystals
- From XEXYMIX: Apparel Set
- From Daika Co., Ltd.: 12 cases of Contrex 500ml (1 year's supply)
- From Nestle Health Science: 1 year's supply of Vital Proteins products
- From SOU PILATES: 1 year's free online Pilates service, Otoko Pila, and 1 free special personal lesson
- From Centotrenta Co., Ltd.: Quarterly skin analysis + 1-year supply of recommended cosmetics
- From Tokyo Medical Aroma School: Remote olfactory response analysis + essential oil set tailored to your constitution + diffuser
- From SHIKISAI Aroma Wellness Planet: Beauty Bone Sheet (for fatigue reduction and performance improvement)
- From Nihon Hitotsuya Producers Association: Premium Akitakomachi DAG rice, made with renowned water, etc.
TOP 3 or TOP 5 Special Prize
- From JOTT JAPAN: Luxury Jacket
- From Centotrenta Co., Ltd.: ¥100,000 worth of serum (runner-up)
- From Milbon Co., Ltd.: Global Milbon PREMIUM Position Shampoo & Conditioner
- From Hirose Co., Ltd.: Epsom Salt Sea Crystals
- From Nestlé Health Science: 6-month supply of products
- From Tokyo Medical Aroma School: "Olfactory Response Analysis" Remote Check + Essential Oil Set for Individual Body Type + Diffuser
- From Nihon Hitotsuya Producers Association: "Premium Akitakomachi" DAG Rice, made with renowned water, etc.
MSC Bellissima 2025 Award
From MSC Cruises: We will be offering one balcony room for two adults, available for selection on fall/winter cruises departing from Japan from 2025 to the end of 2026.
*MSC Cruises will also be offering four rooms on its Naha cruises from November 2025 to January 2026.
[Grand Final Competition]
Winner
- Prize Money and Salary
- Entertainment Activities in Asia
- One-Year Housing Guarantee in a Luxury Residence in Bangkok
- Opportunities to Travel Globally for Work
TOP 5-10 Sponsor Award Winners
- Prize money and salary
- Entertainment activities in Asia
Opportunities for entering politics, etc.


design by ggraph

About Miss Grand Japan

photo by owl
This competition determines Japan's representative for the world's top international pageant, Miss Grand International. The finalist development curriculum focuses on promoting women's participation in the global community, nurturing and producing talent who can play an active role in the international community throughout their lives, and provides job-hunting and business support to help contestants advance their careers after the competition. At the Miss Grand International Competition in 2024, Japan received the GRAND AWARD, given to the country with the world's best management and competition quality, and the Japanese secretariat has been praised for its world-class operations. The organizer is Eriko Yoshii, a native of Akita Prefecture and the first Japanese representative at Miss Grand Japan 2013.

Held on the same day: "Mr. Gay Japan 2025"


photo by owl
"Mr. Gay Japan," which promotes diversity and social issues, will also be held on the same day.
"Mr. Gay Japan" launched in 2018. With the goal of improving the environment for LGBTQ+ people in Japan and promoting understanding of same-sex marriage, it is a platform that uncovers role models who can spread the message and makes the community visible.
[Instagram] @mrgayjapan
[Website] https://www.mrgayjapan.org/
Media Coverage Information
We are accepting interviews with judges, finalists, and prize winners before and after the competition. If you are a member of the press and would like to be interviewed or feature in an article, please contact us at the address below.
[Contact Information]
Miss Grand Japan, Inc. Marketing & PR Department
Email: info@missgrandjapan.com
Website: https://www.missgrandjapan.com/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missgrandjapan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missgrandjapan/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MissGrandJapan
Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/c/MissGrandJapan
X: https://twitter.com/missgrandjapan