Eiko, the eldest daughter of mountaineer Ken Noguchi, attended a press conference introducing the finalists of the Miss Japan Contest 2026, held in Tokyo on December 8th.
Noguchi is 21 years old, born on February 21, 2004. He is a third-year student at Keio University and is also an active mountaineer. "It was always in the mountains that my father taught me important lessons," he said. "I want to convey to society the ability to communicate with nature, not to fear it or control it."
When asked if Ken had said anything to her, she revealed, "He hasn't said anything. My father is the type of person who acts before thinking, and he taught me to go all out when I make a decision. He doesn't say anything, and maybe he'll say later, 'Well done,' so I always feel like I'm being led around by the nose."
The Miss Japan Contest aims to showcase "Japanese beauty" and tests a wide range of human qualities, including not only appearance but also attitude and sociability. It has been held since 1950 and has produced such celebrities as actors Fujiko Yamamoto and Norika Fujiwara.
This time, 13 finalists were selected from just under 2,000 applicants and will compete in the final judging on January 26th next year, where they will be judged on kimono, dresses, and sportswear, with the aim of winning the grand prize.
◇Finalist (titles omitted, in order of entry number, age in parentheses, prefecture of origin)
Suzuki Hinae (21) Kanagawa Prefecture ▽ Terachi Mayuna (26) Aichi Prefecture ▽ Tsujimoto Yuka (19) Kyoto Prefecture ▽ Masaki Yu (20) Tokyo Prefecture ▽ Shimura Miho (19) Tokyo ▽ Ishizawa Haruna (21) Tokyo ▽ Okada Honoka (20) Hyogo Prefecture ▽ Noguchi Eiko (21) Tokyo ▽ Hirashima Moe (22) Fukuoka Prefecture ▽ Ishihara Natsuki (21) Tokyo ▽ Amikura Mizuki (20) Saitama Prefecture ▽ Yamabe Miho (21) Osaka Prefecture ▽ Nagata Manami (20) Nagasaki Prefecture
