Miss International cancels 2021 pageant due to COVID-19

The Japan-based Miss International announced on Tuesday, Aug. 31, that the 2021 pageant has been canceled, citing “health and safety issues” caused by COVID-19.

Akemi Shimomura, the chairperson of the International Cultural Association, announced on the pageant’s official Facebook page that the 60th edition of the international pageant will be moved “in the fall of 2022.”

“Taking into consideration the health and safety issues, as well as the ongoing global impact caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have come to a conclusion to cancel this year’s Miss International 2021 pageant, which was originally scheduled to be held this fall,” she said. 

“We would like to express our deepest regret especially to the participants from all over the world, and to all those who have been supporting our event every year. We humbly ask for your understanding in light of this unusual circumstance which is beyond our control,” Shimomura added.

The 60th edition of the pageant was supposed to be held in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in Nov. 2021. Last year’s edition was also canceled due to the pandemic. 

Hannah Arnold, who was crowned as Binibining Pilipinas International in July 2021, was set to represent the country in the pageant.

The recent edition of the pageant was held in 2019. Sireethorn Leearamwat of Thailand is the current Miss International titleholder.