On May 1st, Emperor Akihito stepped down from the chrysanthemum throne and handed over the role of Emperor to his first born son Naruhito. 30 years of Heisei Era had ended, and the new era, Reiwa, has started!
A lot of new beginnings and changes are happening in Japan. In the world of pageantry, some changes are also happening. Miss Universe Japan, to be held on August 22nd is getting rid of the prefecture's sashes, while Miss Supranational Japan is going to happen in August 25th (instead of the traditional May 6th which they have been doing for past three consecutive years). The selection of the 2020 Miss International Japan will be held AFTER the Miss International pageant, which will be the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, Miss World Japan have started with their own version of regional contests en route to the national finals, which will be held on August 27th. MUJ, MSJ and MWJ will be a few days apart! Miss Earth Japan is the only pageant that will be happening in the same way that they have done in the past two years.
As for the Miss International pageant, there will be some minor changes in the pageant format that are expected to happen! What will they be? We will soon find out!
(Hint: things will be shaken up in order to cut the showtime into three hours)...