Ruki Shiroiwa

Ruki Shiroiwa is a Japanese idol, singer, dancer, and actor. He is best known as a member of the global boy group JO1, formed through the survival audition program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN. Since debuting in 2020, JO1 has become one of Japan's most prominent boy groups, topping Oricon charts and selling over 2 million albums. Shiroiwa is recognized for his exceptional dance skills, charismatic stage presence, and versatility as a performer. He has also ventured into acting, earning a Rising Star award at the Japan Film Awards in 2023. As of 2026, he is preparing for JO1's world tour and starring in the upcoming drama Tokyo Nights. His fans, known as JAM, admire his hardworking and humble personality.[edit]

Shiroiwa grew up in the Tokyo metropolitan area. He developed an early passion for dance and music, inspired by K-pop and J-pop. He trained in hip-hop dance for eight years, honing his skills through local performances and competitions. He attended schools in Tokyo, though specific institutions are not publicly known. His dedication to dance set the foundation for his idol career. In 2019, he auditioned for PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, a survival show seeking to form a new boy group. This marked his first major step toward fame, as he had no prior public career.[edit]

Shiroiwa's breakthrough came in 2019 when he participated in PRODUCE 101 JAPAN. He secured a spot in the final lineup, becoming a member of JO1. The group debuted on March 4, 2020, with the single PROTOSTAR, which sold over 200,000 copies in its first week. JO1 quickly rose to prominence, releasing hit singles and albums that topped Oricon charts. In 2021, they won Best New Artist at the Japan Gold Disc Award. Shiroiwa expanded into acting in 2022 with a supporting role in the drama Kimi no Hikari. He took a lead role in the 2023 film Bazooka! High School, for which he won the Rising Star award at the Japan Film Awards. JO1 continued to release successful albums, including EVERLASTING (2025), which sold over 500,000 copies. In 2026, JO1 announced a world tour, and Shiroiwa is set to star in the drama Tokyo Nights.[edit]

Shiroiwa is known for his cool but cute aesthetic, often seen in casual streetwear with bold colors. Media portrays him as a hardworking, humble idol with exceptional dance skills and a playful personality. JO1's music is upbeat pop with dance-heavy choreography, and Shiroiwa's social media voice is casual, using Japanese and occasionally English. He frequently posts behind-the-scenes photos and dance videos. His individual fans are informally called Rukist. Fans organize birthday projects for him, including charity donations and subway ads.[edit]

Ruki Shiroiwa holds no global fame ranking in the iFANN database as of August 2026, meaning his specific standing among the world's most famous figures has not yet been calculated. While he commands a dedicated following within the J-pop sphere, iFANN currently lacks the data to assign him a numerical position on its worldwide hierarchy.

His audience operates under the collective banner of JO1, the group forged through the high-stakes survival show Produce 101 Japan. There is no singular official name for his individual fanbase; supporters identify primarily as part of the broader group fandom. These fans drive chart campaigns that have propelled singles like WHERE DO WE GO to the top of Oricon lists and organize coordinated digital tributes for his November 19 birthday. The community rallied around his vulnerability during interviews about his voice acting debut, where he admitted feeling unprepared for the role, turning a moment of personal doubt into a shared narrative of growth. Their support extended to promoting the sci-fi anime film AS ONE and its theme song Meguriboshi, marking a significant expansion of his artistic reach. This devotion was tested when a health scare involving COVID-19 forced the cancellation of a major radio appearance, sparking waves of concern and messages from the crowd. Today, the fandom celebrates his dual identity as a precise dancer and a creator who contributes lyrics to the group's repertoire, honoring his transition from a 22-year-old rookie to a multifaceted performer with an "old soul" demeanor.[edit]

Before stepping onto the stage as an idol, Ruki Shiroiwa spent eight years training in hip-hop dance, a discipline that still informs his sharp, precise choreography today. He once stated that without the path of an idol, he would have pursued a career as a professional dancer. Fluent in Korean, he studied the language specifically to facilitate JO1's promotions in South Korea. At the time of his debut in 2020, he was the youngest member of the group at age 22. Known for his ability to switch between cool charisma and adorable charm, he frequently displays aegyo on variety shows. In his private life, he enjoys writing lyrics during his free time, though none have been officially released to the public. His favorite food is sushi, and he shares his home with a pet cat named Mochi.

A significant chapter in his career opened in June 2025 when he made his voice acting debut as the lead in the sci-fi anime feature film AS ONE, a prequel to the Square Enix game Starwing Paradox. Later that month, he performed the theme song Meguriboshi for the film, which premiered in August 2025. These roles marked a major expansion of his artistic portfolio beyond singing and dancing. Fans widely retell the story of his initial hesitation regarding this new venture, recalling his candid admission that he felt "not cut out for this," a moment of raw honesty that deepened the connection with his audience.[edit]

Shiroiwa has kept details about his family private. He has not publicly disclosed his parents' names or occupations, nor whether he has siblings. He grew up in the Tokyo metropolitan area. As of 2026, he owns an apartment in Tokyo's Shibuya district and lives with his pet cat named Mochi. He has not shared information about a spouse or children.[edit]

Shiroiwa is a member of JO1 alongside Ren Kawashiri, Takumi Kawanishi, Shosei Ohira, Syoya Kimata, Junki Kono, Sukai Kinjo, Sho Yonashiro, Keigo Sato, and Mame Harada. He frequently collaborates with producer Yosuke Imai and choreographer Rino Nakasone. His co-stars include actress Mei Nagano, with whom he starred in Love Song, and actor Kaito Nakamura, his co-star in Bazooka! High School.[edit]

Ruki Shiroiwa has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships as of 2026. There have been no credible reports of dating, engagements, or marriages. He is currently single and focused on his career.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ruki Shiroiwa's estimated net worth as of 2026 is $3 million. His financial foundation rests primarily on his activities with the global boy group JO1, encompassing album sales, concert tours, and merchandise. JO1's annual tours generate gross revenues between $10 million and $15 million, with individual member shares estimated at $200,000 to $400,000 annually. Beyond music, he secures lucrative endorsement deals, including a clothing line collaboration with Uniqlo in 2024 and a partnership with a watch brand in 2025. Acting roles contribute an additional $50,000 to $100,000 per project. In 2025, he launched his own clothing brand called RUKI, signaling a move toward entrepreneurship. His investment portfolio includes a stake in a dance studio chain in Tokyo acquired in 2024. Real estate holdings feature an apartment in Shibuya valued at approximately $500,000.[edit]

Shiroiwa won the Rising Star award at the 2023 Japan Film Awards for his role in Bazooka! High School. As a member of JO1, he has won several group awards, including Best New Artist at the Japan Gold Disc Award (2021), Best Group at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan (2024), and the Excellence Award at the Japan Record Awards (2025).[edit]