Back in 1959, Asia registered its first-ever victory in Miss Universe when Miss Japan Akiko Kojima was crowned winner and besting other favorites like 1st Runner-Up Jorunn Kristjansen of Norway and 2nd Runner-Up Terry Lynn Huntingdon of the US.

A Tokyo-based model at the time, Akiko went to Long Beach with impressive vital statistics. Measuring 37-23-38 during the competition, many were non-believers of the figure. But then again, she denied having had any enhancements done on her body. To think that it was the late 50s, I’m surprised there was already some buzz about breast implants, and to an oriental delegate at that.

courtesy of Buyout Footage History Stock Footage

After Akiko, two (2) more Asians were crowned Miss Universe during the 1960s (Thailand’s Apasra Hongsakula in 1965 and Gloria Diaz of the Philippines in 1969), with only one (Margarita Moran of the Philippines in 1973) in the 70s.