Sakura

Sakura Miyawaki is a Japanese singer and idol known for her work with HKT48, IZ*ONE, and LE SSERAFIM. Born on March 19, 1998, in Kagoshima, she started her career at age 13 and became one of the few Japanese entertainers to find major success in both Japan and South Korea.

She first gained popularity as a member of HKT48, a subgroup of the AKB48 family. In 2018, she joined the survival show Produce 48, finishing second and debuting with the project group IZ*ONE. The group achieved massive success with hits like La Vie en Rose. After IZ*ONE disbanded in 2021, Sakura re-debuted with LE SSERAFIM in May 2022, further cementing her status as a top idol. [edit]

Sakura grew up in Kagoshima with dreams of becoming a singer and actress. She attended Kagoshima Municipal Taniyama Elementary School and later Kagoshima Shoyo Junior High School. From a young age, she was drawn to the entertainment industry and decided to pursue an idol career.

In 2011, at age 13, she auditioned for HKT48, a sister group of AKB48 based in Fukuoka. She passed and became a first-generation trainee, officially joining the group in November 2011. She worked her way up through the ranks, gaining experience and building a fanbase within the Japanese idol system. [edit]

Sakura's career took off with HKT48, where she became one of its most popular members. She participated in numerous singles and concerts, establishing herself as a key figure in the group.

In 2018, she joined Produce 48, a competition that created IZ*ONE. She finished second and debuted with the group in October 2018. IZ*ONE's debut album Color*Iz and its lead single La Vie en Rose were huge hits, making Sakura a household name across Asia. After IZ*ONE disbanded in 2021, she signed with Source Music and debuted with LE SSERAFIM in May 2022, continuing her success. [edit]

Sakura is widely regarded as a versatile 'all-rounder' idol, known for her elegant visuals, precise dance technique, and gentle yet professional demeanor. Media often portrays her as resilient and adaptable, given her smooth transitions across multiple groups. Her personal content tone is calm, playful, and gaming-oriented, often shared through Instagram and Twitter. The official fandom name for LE SSERAFIM is FEARNOT; individual fans, sometimes called 'Sakura stans,' engage in ritualized cheering and supportive social-media campaigns. Sakura’s social-media voice remains relatively reserved and positive, reinforcing her image as a composed and approachable figure.[edit]

Sakura Miyawaki commands a unique position in global pop culture, bridging the massive, ritualized fandoms of Japan's idol system with the highly organized, digital-first energy of K-pop. Her audience, collectively known as FEARNOT, is defined by its discipline and emotional investment, mobilizing instantly for chart campaigns, birthday tributes, and charity drives that often feature her signature pink and white aesthetics. This community has turned her personal quirks, like her love for crocheting or her preference for potatoes during travel, into shared rituals, creating a lore-rich environment where fans gift handmade yarn kits and organize viral video view parties. The bond was solidified during a memorable 2025 Tokyo Dome encore, where an emotional performance resonated so deeply it became a defining mythos of sincerity within the group's history. While the fanbase operates under the unified LE SSERAFIM banner without a separate name for Sakura individually, their specific devotion to her journey from HKT48 to IZ*ONE and finally LE SSERAFIM creates a distinct layer of engagement. This cross-border appeal has propelled her visibility on a global scale, a trajectory now quantified by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. She currently holds the distinction of being the 72nd most famous person in Japan, holding steady from the previous cycle. Furthermore, she stands as the 84th most famous person from Japan, holding steady from the previous cycle. Within her specific musical sphere, she ranks as the 25th most famous person in J-Pop / J-Rock, holding steady from the previous cycle.[edit]

Sakura began her career at age 13 as a trainee for HKT48 and remains one of the few Japanese idols to achieve prominence in both the Japanese and Korean music industries. She has been a member of three major groups: HKT48, IZ*ONE, and LE SSERAFIM. A dedicated gamer, she owns a pet dog named Mochi. Beyond these facts, she is central to a legend among fans regarding the "Tokyo Dome Encore" of November 2025, where a tearful performance became a viral moment celebrated for its raw emotion. Another story that defines her public persona involves the transition from using just "Sakura" to adopting her full stage name, Miyawaki Sakura, a shift that sparked intense online discourse about identity reclamation in 2024. Fans also keep alive the memory of the "Macarena" reimagining in May 2026, where her playful participation in a retro dance concept went viral, showcasing her ability to blend serious artistry with lighthearted trends.[edit]

Details about Sakura's family are not widely publicized. She has mentioned being close to her parents and has a younger brother. She keeps her personal life private and rarely shares family information in interviews. [edit]

Sakura is closely associated with her groups: HKT48, IZ*ONE, and LE SSERAFIM. She worked with fellow Produce 48 contestants and IZ*ONE members like Jang Wonyoung and Ahn Yujin. In LE SSERAFIM, she performs alongside Kim Chaewon, Kazuha, Huh Yunjin, and Eunchae. [edit]

As of 2026, Sakura is reportedly single. She has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships throughout her career. There have been occasional rumors linking her to fellow idols, but none have been substantiated. She focuses on her career and maintains a private personal life. [edit]

As things stand in 2026, iFANN Editorial Team estimates Sakura Miyawaki's net worth at $5 Million. Her primary income sources include music sales, concert tours, endorsements, and merchandise. She has served as a brand ambassador for several Korean and Japanese products, including cosmetics and fashion lines. Her financial growth has tracked steadily since her debut with IZ*ONE and saw a significant increase following LE SSERAFIM's success. Additional revenue streams come from appearances on variety shows and strategic social media partnerships.[edit]

Sakura has won several awards with her groups, including Golden Disc Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards. With IZ*ONE, she won Rookie of the Year and Best New Female Group honors. With LE SSERAFIM, she has won Bonsang awards and Best Performance recognitions. [edit]