Hiroko Mima Picture

Japan has either won or been runner-up in the last two Miss Universe pageants. So the pressure is on for Tokushima Prefecture native Mima Hiroko. The 21-year-old physical education senior at Nihon University was selected on Thursday to represent Japan at this year's event in Vietnam in July. She received her tiara at the Tokyo International Forum from reigning Miss Universe Mori Rio (21), the first Japanese to win the crown in 48 years. Now working as a TV reporter, Chibana Kurara (26) was runner up in the 2006 pageant. Mima developed her physical coordination early, learning the famous Tokushima dance Awa Odori from the age of three. As a student, she appeared seven years at national athletics championships in the long jump.