A 24 year old Sales Clerk from Osaka was crowned Miss Universe Japan 2011 during the finals held at the Tokyo Dome Hall Friday night. Maria Kamiyama, who stands 1.68m, will now represent her country in the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The national competition, which has been delayed for months after the deadly earthquake which struck the northeast part of Japan, finally pushed through and allowed last year’s winner, Maiko Itai, to formally relinquish her crown.

Her runners-up include Hibiki Nozu from Okinawa and Michiko Tanaka from Shizuoka.

Good luck in Sao Paolo, Maria!