Yasmin Mino, from Bastos, wins the first Miss Nikkey Japan Alta Paulista in Tupã

Student Yasmin Emi Enemu Mino, from Bastos, won the first Miss Nikkey Japan Alta Paulista, held at the Tupã Tênis Clube in Tupã, in the interior of São Paulo state. Produced by Daniela Nishikawa, the pageant had 24 contestants from Bastos, Tupã, Marília, Quintana, Birigui, Araçatuba, Atibaia and São Paulo and drew about 700 people, counting paying attendees and invited guests.

Yasmin, who competed in barrel racing in rural equestrian events, was crowned by a panel of judges made up of sponsors. According to the organizers, she stood out for her command of the runway. The audience approved of the choice and gave her a standing ovation.

In addition to Yasmin, these contestants won titles:

• 1st Princess: Ana Carolina Hayashi Nunes

• 2nd Princess: Laiz de Moura Hiraga

• Miss Congeniality: Priscila Fernanda Shimizu, a student from Bastos, who placed fourth

• Miss Cheering Section: Jamile Yumi Taier

The event was a benefit: all the box-office proceeds went to the Centro de Integração do Menor (CIM), a Tupã organization maintained by the Lions Clube Curumim.

Taiko, dance and ballet between runway shows

Daniela Nishikawa also gave the pageant a cultural dimension, with a broad showcase of artistic expression and of Nikkei customs and traditions. Between the contestants’ two runway segments, in casual wear and in formal wear, these acts performed:

• Wakaba Taiko Group (Birigui)

• Living Dolls Parade (Bastos and Tupã)

• Dance groups of the Fujinkai women’s association (Bastos)

• Tomodachi Group (Birigui)

• Acert Taiko Group (Tupã)

• Maria Cristina Sismeiro Dias Ballet Academy

Officials and a tribute

Officials in attendance included:

• César Donadelli, vice mayor of Tupã

• Virgínia Fernandes, mayor of Bastos

• Roberto Kawasaki, president of the Associação Cultural Esportiva e Recreativa de Tupã (Acert)

• Satiko Hayashi, a Bastos city council member, who also sat on the panel of judges

Daniela Nishikawa paid tribute to Takao and Carmen Kawakami, a married couple of merchants from Tupã and pioneers in staging this kind of event: in 1991, they organized Tupã’s first Miss Nikkey.

The following year, Daniela took her experience to Birigui, where she produced Miss Centenário Birigui. Yasmin Mino was a special guest at the celebration.