Controversial among weebs and white racists maybe. I can't find any prominent Japanese publication or talking head decrying the decision.
The article tries to weasel its way out by saying "inside and outside of Japan" but it seems to be mostly people writing in English on Instagram who are riled up about it.
Obviously a very progressive/inclusive decision, this person is as Japanese as living in Japan for 20 years can get you, the "controversy" is ridiculous and quite frankly racist, would be like if someone an ethincally Asian UK citizen won miss UK and then got accused of pushing an Eastern standard of beauty in an ethnically Anglo-Celtic-etc nation.
You have to be such a asshole to read
“I’ve had to face barriers that often prevent me from being accepted as Japanese, so I am filled with gratitude to be recognized at this competition as a Japanese person,” she said.
And then comment it's kinda fucked up she won this contest (as literally the first naturilzed person to do so) they should have given it to someone ethnically Japanese etc etc.
