Finland finds itself embroiled in an international controversy that has escalated into diplomatic tensions with multiple Asian nations. The crisis originated when Sarah Dzafce, the recently crowned Miss Finland 2025, posted a photograph depicting herself pulling the corners of her eyes outward—a gesture widely recognized as a racist caricature of Asian facial features. The image, accompanied by a caption reading “eating with a Chinese,” rapidly circulated across social media platforms in late November.
Dzafce subsequently lost her title after the Miss Finland Organization determined the incident had caused “deep hurt, disappointment, and concern both in Finland and internationally.” The organization issued a formal apology, stating unequivocally that “racism is never acceptable in any form.”
The situation intensified dramatically when several members of Finland’s ruling coalition, representing far-right political factions, publicly supported Dzafce by replicating the controversial gesture in their own social media posts. This political endorsement transformed what began as an individual incident into a national controversy with international ramifications.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo responded to the growing diplomatic crisis by issuing formal apologies in multiple Asian languages through Finnish embassy channels. In his statements, Orpo emphasized that these posts “do not reflect Finland’s values of equality and inclusion” and affirmed that “racism and discrimination have no place in Finnish society.”
The Japanese government has formally expressed concerns through diplomatic channels, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara acknowledging Finland’s apology while emphasizing expectations for appropriate resolution. The controversy has sparked calls for boycotts of Finnish tourism and national carrier Finnair, with company executives confirming the scandal has adversely affected their international operations.