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Japanese beauty queen barred from ceremony after refusing to sign with big talent agency
TOKYO – A Japanese beauty queen won’t be handing over her crown to her successor after she refused to sign with a major talent agency.
Ikumi Yoshimatsu, winner of last year’s Miss International contest, has filed a criminal complaint against a top agency executive alleging obstruction of business, stalking, intimidation and extortion.
She says he threatened her life after she formed her own management agency rather than use his.
The teary-eyed beauty queen told reporters on Monday the executive had threatened sponsors and shareholders and she was barred from Tuesday’s ceremony in Tokyo.
The executive, Genichi Taniguchi, denied doing anything to Yoshimatsu and said he holds no grudges against her.
The organizers confirmed they won’t allow her to appear because they don’t want media coverage of the controversy to overshadow the event.
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