assumed the duties of Miss Universe Japan 2007, after originally being the second runner-up. She became Miss Universe Japan after the winner, Riyo Mori

Riyo Mori

is a Japanese dance instructor and model who won the Miss Universe 2007 title in May 2007.-Early life:...

, claimed the Miss Universe

Miss Universe

Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....

 crown and first runner-up, Rei Hamada, turned the title down. Akiko is a graduate of Tamagawa University

Tamagawa University

is a Japanese university located in Machida, Tokyo, Japan. The university consists of 16 departments in 7 faculties , as well as seven programs leading to a master’s degree and four programs leading to a doctorate degree...

 and has an elementary school teacher's certificate. She has travelled 30 countries on her own doing various volunteer work. She is a model and stands 5'8" (173 cm).

External links

• Official page by Horipro
  Horipro
  is a large Japanese talent agency. It was founded in 1963 as Hori Productions and changed to its present name in 1990.In 1989, Horipro purchased the publishing assets of famed rock band, KISS. Next, the company moved on to invest in more catalogs. A year later, Horipro Entertainment Group opened...
  
  
• Official blog