History of Miss International Queen
With a legacy stretching back over two decades, Miss International Queen is one of the best-known transgender pageants — and given its origins, it is especially popular among Asian transgender people. In fact, the contest, both at the national and international levels, make for major transgender news every year. But what is this pageant? Who can compete… and who already has? Finally, who are the Japanese transgender icons who have participated? Grabs your heels, because we’re gonna walk you through it!
Origins in Thailand
The real beginnings of the event date back to 1998, when Miss Tiffany’s Universe (now known simply as Miss Tiffany) was started in Pattaya, Thailand. It is open to anyone who was assigned male at birth, regardless of how far they have progressed in their transition. This eventually spawned the spin-off Miss International Queen competition, which began in 2004. It has similar rules of inclusion, though all contestants must be between the ages of 18 and 35.
Additionally, to emphasize the variety between contestants and their home countries, it is not permitted for winners or runners-up to compete again… though those who are less successful are able to try again!
But then, how does the contest work?
Competition Stages
To begin with, everyone who wants to go to the world finals in Pattaya must first be the winner of their homeland’s competition. This process itself is made up of several different aspects, including performances, and requiring the Queens to consider the theme and annual flower of the contest (in 2025, these were “Safari” and “Wild Flower,” respectively).
After going through this process, the winner and representative will head to Pattaya. But even though there can only be one overall winner, there are still a number of prizes to be won for our experienced and exciting beauties. These include Best in International Costume, Best in Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality, and Miss Popular Vote.
Notable Japanese Contestants
Japan has sent transwomen as representatives to the Miss International Queen competition every year since the event’s founding, and so naturally there are a number of stand-outs, even among the standouts of the Japanese transgender ladies who have made the trip. So, who are some highlights?
Ai Haruna
Arguably the most significant Japanese representative to go to Miss International Queen, Ai Haruna won the entire competition in 2009, an event that not only saw her shoot to worldwide fame, but is indeed the first scene of her recent biopic, This Is I. Today, she remains the official Miss International Queen Japan ambassador, where she continues to promote talent making an impact in the world.
“I feel happy that M.I.Q.J is growing to an even bigger stage along with Miss International Queen,” she said last year. “[Winning] the 2009 Grand Prix still has a big impact on my life.. Please give your applause to today’s stage, and to the queens who took to the stage.”
Shima Shyna
The first Japanese-Filipino to represent Japan, today they are not only a general manager of Miss International Queen Japan and a designer, but also and advocate for children’s rights and environmental conservatism. She is also an ambassador for the House of Musa, which creates clothing using banana fibers that an environmentally sustainable, and contribute to the advancement of women who have been deprived of liberty.
“[My] endeavours stretch beyond borders,” she says. “My mission resonates deeply with my role as a founder of a little school in Tondo, where we offer free food and education to children — a beacon of hope in an area often overshadowed by hardship.”
Mina Amamatsu
The 2025 winner of the Miss International Queen Japan contest, Mina Amamatsu — also known as MiNA — recently sat down to speak with JGG’s YouTube team, which you can see here. In the interview, she discusses both the difficulties and joys of being a trans woman in Japan.
“There is no relation between age, gender, and a person’s ability to shine,” she declared last year. “What I, [as a person who has] gone through gender-affirming surgery and become my true self can do now is create a world where LGBTQ+ individuals can live more easily.”
This year’s Miss International Queen Japan contest will be taking place on 2 August in Omotesando. So if any transgender queens are reading this article, make sure to check out the website, and consider applying!
