Face of Japan 2026 crowns four runway hopefuls in Shibuya

Haruna Tachibana, Rikuto Mitani, and two others win Grand Prix

On July 2, the '2026 High1 Resort Asia Model Festival - Face of Japan 2026,' a competition to select next-generation models, was held at the Shibuya Traditional Hall in Tokyo, Japan. This competition served as a national selection process to find models representing Japan, co-hosted by the Asia Model Festival Organizing Committee (AMFOC) and Japan's FOJ.

As a result of the competition, Haruna Tachibana and Otoha Umezu won the Grand Prix in the women's category, while Rikuto Mitani and Towa Shibata took the titles in the men's category. The selected winners are scheduled to participate in international events related to the Asia Model Festival and various global fashion and beauty projects.

K-beauty expert Song Geon-hee joins judging panel and provides styling advice

The judging panel included AMFOC President Yang Ui-sik, FOJ Representative Deguchi Takaoami, National Director Sugano Akiko, IMPACT Representative Hosono Yu, and G.N.M TOKYO Representative Song Geon-hee. Director Koga Yoshihiko of SAVWA and Director Haru mien also participated in the judging process.

In particular, Song Geon-hee, the representative of G.N.M TOKYO who has been responsible for the hair styling of K-pop artists and Korean actors, provided on-site advice to the participants regarding global beauty trends and styling. AMFOC President Yang Ui-sik stated, "Face of Japan is a platform that connects Japan's excellent modeling talent to the world stage," expressing intentions to expand cultural content exchange with various Asian countries.

Sponsored by High1 Resort and various domestic and international brands

The '2026 High1 Resort Asia Model Festival' is supported by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). Official sponsors and partners for this competition included High1 Resort, along with domestic and international brands such as Teravicos, Restylane, Sculptra, Atomy, Elegance Paris, Eco DM Lab Quadsera, Veracella, and Smartnus All Chart.