A diplomatic and public relations crisis has engulfed Finland following a racially insensitive social media post by its recently dethroned Miss Universe delegate. Sarah Dzafce, 22, ignited international outrage after a photograph depicting her pulling the corners of her eyes to mimic slanted eyes went viral. The image was originally captioned ‘eating with a Chinese,’ a gesture widely condemned as a derogatory stereotype against East Asian communities.
The controversy rapidly transcended borders, sparking significant backlash across Japan, South Korea, and China. The fallout extended beyond Dzafce to impact Finland’s national image, even triggering calls for a boycott of the country’s flag carrier, Finnair.
In response to the escalating situation, the Miss Finland Organisation announced Dzafce’s dethronement, stating the move was ‘difficult but necessary.’ The organization emphasized that the titleholder’s role-model status demands respect for all people regardless of origin or appearance.
Dzafce offered an apology on Instagram, claiming the gesture was an innocent reaction to a headache during dinner and that the offensive caption was added by a friend without her consent. She expressed regret for causing ‘ill will’ and affirmed her commitment to respecting diverse backgrounds. However, the apology, written primarily in Finnish, was criticized by many international observers as insufficient and insincere.
The scandal took a further political turn when two right-wing Finnish MPs, Juho Eerola and Kaisa Garedew, posted photos mimicking Dzafce’s gesture in a show of support. Both posts were subsequently deleted following widespread condemnation. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo condemned the lawmakers’ actions as ‘childish’ and stated that elected officials should exemplify proper conduct. The Finns Party is now considering potential sanctions against the MPs.
Finnair issued a formal statement on its Japanese social media account, distancing itself from the politicians’ actions and reaffirming its commitment to welcoming everyone with respect. The airline acknowledged that its diverse workforce and global customer base make inclusivity a core value.
The incident has prompted serious discussions about racism in Finnish society. The Finnish embassy in Japan acknowledged receiving numerous inquiries and stated that ‘racism remains a challenge’ requiring continuous effort to resolve. Meanwhile, a Japanese resident in Finland launched a petition calling for an investigation into anti-Asian discrimination, which gathered over 7,000 signatures within days.