'Sleazy' kimono sparks anger

TOKYO: Japan's finalist for the Miss Universe pageant has modified her costume after triggering a storm of protest with her outfit - a black leather kimono so short it exposed her hot-pink underwear.

The blog of Emiri Miyasaka, 25, who is set to represent her country at the contest in the Bahamas this month, was flooded with indignant comments over the daring creation, which also featured lacy garter belts.

Many said the outfit, first unveiled on a catwalk at a Tokyo media conference last month, was crass and sleazy.