Why Continue Miss Contests in an Era of Criticism Over Appearance-Based Judgments? Hiroki Uchida, Founder of Best of Miss, Launches Nationwide Public Debate Project in Yokohama

Hiroki Uchida

Commemorative photo with Japan's representative at the Miss Planet Japan World Finals

Hiroki Uchida, Founder, The Best of Miss Memorial Foundation (General Foundation)
https://www.instagram.com/uchidahiroki045

At this lecture, Hiroki Uchida, founder of Best of Miss and a figure deeply involved in the beauty pageant industry for over 15 years, reflected on his life and discussed the value of 'beauty' in contemporary society.

During the lecture, he also announced the launch of a nationwide public debate project themed 'Is beauty a form of discrimination?'

Unit produced by Hiroki Uchida, combining voice and beauty: Left - Miss Universe Kanagawa Representative, Right - Grand Prix winner at the Lady Universe World Finals

'Miss contests are outdated.'

In recent years, criticism of beauty pageants has intensified, especially on social media.

'Women are being judged by their appearance.'

'It promotes lookism.'

'It doesn't fit modern society.'

These criticisms are indeed real.

Yet, on the other hand, beauty pageants have long provided countless women with opportunities to challenge themselves and transform their lives.

This lecture became a platform where a producer at the center of this controversy directly posed questions to society.

Devoting nearly his entire adult life from his 20s to 40s to beauty pageants

At the beginning of the lecture, Uchida said:

2025 Grand Prix group photo

'Before I realized it, I had spent almost my entire adult life from my 20s to 40s on beauty pageants.'

Traveling across all 47 prefectures, from local contests to national finals, and on to world stages.

He has witnessed the challenges of over 10,000 women.

Holidays, long breaks, and personal hobbies were all put on hold.

He was told multiple times by people around him, 'You should just quit already.'

Yet, when asked why he continued,

'I don't want to protect beauty pageants themselves. I wanted to protect the stage for women who dare to challenge.'

he stated.

Is it lookism, or a platform for challenge?

The lecture also included discussions with the audience.

Uchida began by saying,

'I personally don't believe a person's worth is determined solely by appearance.'

Then added,

'However, I also feel uncomfortable in a society that condemns the act of evaluating appearance itself.'

Furthermore,

'People cannot be judged solely by appearance.

But people also cannot completely ignore appearance.

That's exactly why this topic needs more discussion.'

he emphasized.

Beauty in the Age of AI

In the latter half of the lecture, he touched on the advancement of AI technology.

Resume screening.

Hiring.

Matching.

Evaluation.

AI is now entering an era where it judges people in various contexts.

Uchida said,

'AI can analyze facial symmetry and the golden ratio.

But it cannot assess what kind of life a person has lived or what motivations drive their challenges.'

He then posed the question:

'Precisely because AI is evaluating people, perhaps there are charms and potentials that only humans can recognize.'

Launch of the Nationwide Public Debate Project

At the end of the lecture, as a new initiative, he announced the launch of a nationwide public debate project themed:

'Is beauty a form of discrimination?'

In the future, events will be held across Japan, inviting speakers from diverse backgrounds such as:

- Psychologists
- AI researchers
- Educators
- Business executives
- Former Miss Japan titleholders
- Beauty pageant participants
- Feminist scholars

to hold open discussions on:

'What is beauty?'
'What is evaluation?'
'What is lookism?'

Uchida's Statement

'I don't aim to justify beauty pageants.

Rather, I believe it's time we seriously discuss these issues.

Is beauty discriminatory?

Is evaluating appearance wrong?

Can AI assess human charm?

I myself don't yet have answers to these questions.

That's why I want to face them honestly, without running away.

As someone who has spent over 20 years in the beauty pageant industry.

And as a citizen concerned about the future of society.

I want to expand this dialogue nationwide.'

[Lecture Title] Why Do I Continue Miss Contests in an Era When Lookism Is Criticized?

[Organizer]
The Japan Miss Contest Association (General Foundation)

[Lecturer]
Hiroki Uchida
Founder, Best of Miss

[Venue]
A wedding venue in Yokohama

[Attendees]
National competition organizers, sponsors, executives, media representatives, and others

[Future Plans]
Nationwide Public Debate Project
'Is Beauty a Form of Discrimination?'
Scheduled to launch in autumn 2026