POD - UNIVERSE JAPAN

The pick of the day is Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama. Asia Rising is the motto in Sao Paulo! The Latin delegates are the weakest in recent memory; the Asian delegates are the strongest in recent memory.

MISS SAYONARA

This past Thursday, Miss Universe Japan 2011 Maria Kamiyama posed for photos and answered questions from the press during an event to send her off for Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil. Beauty School looks forward to a strong showing by Marie during the competition. She should be very popular in Sao Paulo, what with its large Brazilian-Japanese population.

THE UNIVERSE OF THE DONALD

Donald Trump poses with Miss Universe winners and former finalists Flaviana Matata, Angela Martini, Rosanna Purcell, Susie Castillo, Shandi Finnessey, Amelia Vega, Dayanna Mendoza, Justine Pasek, Riyo Mori, Crystle Stewart, Zana Krasniqi, Marigona Dragusha, and Chloe Mortaud during a photoshoot in New York today. Many of these women have gone on successful modeling and entertainment careers. (Photos: Reuters)

ZEN ON SUNDAY

One of Beauty School's all-time favorites...Miss Universe Japan 2006 and Miss Universe 2006 first runner-up Kurara Chibana. Kurara is always cool.

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Miss Universe Japan 2011 contestant Tomomi Takada

MISS UNIVERSE JAPAN 2011

Maria Kamiyama, 24, won the title of Miss Universe Japan 2011 just hours ago in Tokyo. She is a sales clerk from Osaka and will now represent Japan in Brazil at the Miss Universe 2011 pageant. Miss Universe Japan 2011 first runner-up was Hibiki Nozu from Okinawa. Second runner-up was Michiko Tanaka from Shizuoka (Riyo's home town!). A total of 15 women competed for the highly coveted title. (Photos: Reuters)

BOOTY CAMP

The fifteen gorgeous finalists for the 2011 Miss Universe Japan title pose for their group photo with PUMA athletic trainer Yoichi Kanezuka (front 4th R) and other officers at the end of the first lesson of their 8-day-long beauty camp at Fuchu city, Tokyo on June 9, 2011. The 15 beauties will compete for the 2011 Miss Universe Japan crown in Tokyo on June 17. (Photos: Getty Images)

SPRING BREAK

Spring Break is this week, and Beauty School will be closed. All faculty and staff are heading to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, "Where the Boys Are." Dorms will re-open on Sunday, 27 March, and classes will resume on Monday, 28 March.

Miss Universe 2005 contestants, including the eventual winner Natalie Glebova of Canada, look like they are on Spring Break!

These Mister World 2007 contestants look like they are on Spring Break, too!

Dean Harris sure would like to spend Spring Break with Lucas Gil, Mister Brazil 2007 and Mister World 2007 first runner-up!

Spring Break in Vietnam would be fun! It looks like Miss Universe 2007 Japan's Riyo Mori and the Miss Universe 2008 contestants had fun in the sun in Vietnam, even if they were chaperoned all the time!

This is the all-time favorite movie of Lorraine, Beauty School's Librarian.

OMG! Lorraine and Dean Harris are dead-ringers for movie stars Dolores Hart and George Hamilton!

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Miss Universe Japan 2008 Hiroko Mima

I THINK I'M TURNING JAPANESE...

In the faculty lounge today at lunch, while sipping her miso soup and munching on her seaweed salad, Prof. Chandni was humming the 1980 hit song "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors. Hearing the tune reminded Dean Harris about several Nippon-related items to share with the student body.

Miss Universe Japan 2011 is underway. The 15 finalists were introduced last month, and the pageant finale is set for March 30. Follow pageant preparations at Yahoo Japan.

In November, Miss World Japan 2011 and Miss International Japan 2011 were elected. Miss World Japan 2011 is Midori Tanaka and Miss International Japan 2011 is Nagomi Muryama.

Marie Yanaka, 20, holds her winning trophy after being crowned the 43rd Miss Japan Grand Prix in Tokyo on Jan. 24, 2011. The Tokyo native, who currently attends Keio University, topped 3,168 other contestants across the country. Twelve finalists competed in various fields of beauty, while being dressed in kimono and swimsuits. (Photo: Mainichi)

IERI, OGGI, E DOMANI

Ieri, Oggi, e Domani...for the third year running (at least!) Kurara Chibana, Miss Universe Japan 2006 and Miss Universe 2006 first runner-up graces the cover of each monthly issue of Japanese fashion magazine Domani.

HYBRID BEAUTIES

Japan's Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, and Kurara Chibana, Miss Universe 2006 first runner-up, introduce the new Toyota hybrid Lexus CT200h in Tokyo today. Toyota has started selling the five-door hatchback vehicle with 1.8-liter engine and its hybrid system, which, according to the manufacturer consumes 1 litre of fuel for every 34km driven. (Photo: Getty Images)

ZEN ON SUNDAY

Kurara Chibana, Miss Universe Japan 2006

and Miss Universe 2006 first runner-up

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - 1959

Japan's Akiko Kojima, Miss Universe 1959

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - 1960

Miss Universe 1959, Japan's Akiko Kojima, congratulates Miss Universe 1960, USA's Linda Bement.

PICK OF THE DAY

It's Prof. Chandni's turn today! Her Pick of the Day is Miss Universe Japan, Maiko Itai. Prof. Chandni can see it now - a down to the wire, too close for comfort finish between Japan and Philippines. (Photo: Miss Universe L.P., LLLP)

PINEAPPLE QUEEN

The new Miss Universe Japan 2010, Maiko Itai (she's the one holding the pineapple), poses for photographers during the 2010 Miss Universe Japan final competition at Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa on March 9, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.

We think Ines has another contender in Maiko!

BOOT CAMP INES

JAPAN TODAY, 24-Feb-2010: The final 11 Miss Universe Japan contestants have kicked off a two-week beauty camp at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, where the ladies will stay together and refine their techniques before the winner is announced on March 9.

Three of the sexy ladies, Chie Ishii, 22, Moeko Fukuda, 22, and Maiko Itai, 25, attended a press conference with Ines Ligron, who has been national director of Miss Universe Japan since being appointed to the position by Donald Trump in 1998.

Ligron said: “What I want most from the girls during the next two weeks is for them to have a good think about who they are and how they are going to convey that to the world.”

She added: “This year we’re looking for a girl who can express herself clearly and embodies Japan. Until now, we’ve put forward a strong and even shocking image to counter the one the world has of Japanese girls being shy and weak. We’re going to change our approach this year, putting forward a more traditional image and one of a smart, pure and sophisticated young woman. I want her to show off her Japaneseness as much as possible, so I’d like to see her in a kimono at some point.”

MISS JAPAN GRAND PRIX

TOKYO - JANUARY 25: Mina Hayashi (C) poses for photographs after winning the 'Miss Japan Grand Prix Final' with other awardees Ami Suzuki (L), Hanako Suzuki (2L), Mana Hayashi (2R) and Aimi Azuma (R) at Keio Plaza Hotel on January 25, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - 1959

Miss Universe 1959, Japan's Akiko Kojima