Japanese beauty queen barred from ceremony
Miss International 2012, Ikumi Yoshimatsu of Japan, reacts as she speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Dec 16, 2013. -- PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AP) - A Japanese beauty queen will not be handing over her crown to her successor after she refused to sign with a major talent agency.
Ms 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.