Akiko Chubachi (中鉢 明子 Chubachi Akiko) (born February 18, 1982 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) assumed the duties of Miss Universe Japan 2007,[1] after originally being the second runner-up.[2] She became Miss Universe Japan after the winner, Riyo Mori, claimed the Miss Universe crown and first runner-up, Rei Hamada, turned the title down. Akiko is a graduate of Tamagawa University 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).