JO1
LAPONE Entertainment’s audience-built Japanese boy group
JO1 is a Japanese boy group formed on December 11, 2019, through the finale of Produce 101 Japan. Viewers selected the original eleven members from 101 contestants. The name represents the trainees becoming one group and aiming for the top of the world together.
Profile
- Origin: Japan
- Formed: December 11, 2019
- Debut: March 4, 2020, with the single Protostar and lead track “Infinity”
- Company: LAPONE Entertainment, a joint venture created by Yoshimoto Kogyo and CJ ENM
- Current lineup: Nine members
- Fandom: JAM
- Greeting: “Go to the Top! JO1!”
- Official site: jo1.jp
Current Members
- Sho Yonashiro (與那城 奨), born October 25, 1995
- Ren Kawashiri (川尻 蓮), born March 2, 1997
- Ruki Shiroiwa (白岩 瑠姫), born November 19, 1997
- Junki Kono (河野 純喜), born January 20, 1998
- Keigo Sato (佐藤 景瑚), born July 29, 1998
- Takumi Kawanishi (川西 拓実), born June 23, 1999
- Syoya Kimata (木全 翔也), born April 5, 2000
- Sukai Kinjo (金城 碧海), born May 6, 2000
- Issei Mamehara (豆原 一成), born May 30, 2002
Former Members
- Shion Tsurubo (鶴房 汐恩) ended his JO1 activities when his LAPONE contract expired on December 31, 2025.
- Shosei Ohira (大平 祥生) ended his JO1 activities and LAPONE contract on May 31, 2026.
Formation and Debut
The first season of Produce 101 Japan began with 101 independent trainees. The final public vote produced JO1’s original lineup. LAPONE positioned the group between Japanese idol promotion and the performance training, release cadence, and international infrastructure associated with CJ ENM’s Korean projects.
JO1 debuted with Protostar. “Infinity” reached number one on the Billboard Japan Hot 100, while the group’s first album, The Star, reached number two on both the Oricon Albums Chart and Billboard Japan Hot Albums in 2020.
Career Timeline
2020: Debut year
JO1 released Protostar, Stargazer, and the album The Star. Pandemic restrictions pushed early fan contact and the group’s first concert into livestream formats. Their Starlight concert drew viewers from more than 30 countries.
2021 to 2022: National expansion
The group expanded its catalog through Challenger, Stranger, Wandering, and its second album, Kizuna. JO1 also moved into regular television, radio, acting, fashion, and large music events. Individual members began building credits in drama, film, voice acting, songwriting, and choreography.
2022 to 2024: Arena touring and major Japanese recognition
JO1’s live schedule grew from the Kizuna arena tour to larger domestic and international appearances. The group made its first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2022. “Trigger” received an Excellent Work Award at the 2023 Japan Record Awards. “Love Seeker” received the same award in 2024.
2024 to 2025: Tokyo Dome and international work
JO1 won the K-pop Global Artist award at the 2024 Korea Grand Music Awards and Artist of the Year and the Popularity Award at the 2024 The Fact Music Awards. The group’s 2025 Tokyo Dome shows drew roughly 100,000 people across two days. JO1 also completed its first world-tour dates and continued appearances in Korea, Thailand, the United States, and other markets.
2025 to 2026: Lineup changes and the U.S. project
Shion Tsurubo left at the end of 2025 after his contract expired. LAPONE announced in April 2026 that Shosei Ohira would leave the company and conclude JO1 activities on May 31. The official JO1 profile now lists nine members.
In 2026, JO1 announced the U.S. original EP ANIMAL and a North American tour. “WHATCHA DOIN’,” released July 24, was the first advance track. Dem Jointz produced all six tracks on the EP.
Albums and Major Releases
- The Star (2020)
- Kizuna (2022)
- Equinox (2023)
- Be Classic (best album, 2025)
- ANIMAL (U.S. original EP, scheduled for October 2, 2026)
JO1’s singles and promotional releases include “Infinity,” “Oh-Eh-Oh,” “Shine a Light,” “Born to Be Wild,” “Real,” “Bokura no Kisetsu,” “Move the Soul,” “SuperCali,” “Tiger,” “Trigger,” “Venus,” “Love Seeker,” “Where Do We Go,” “Be Classic,” “Handz in My Pocket,” and “WHATCHA DOIN’.” For complete editions and track listings, use the official discography.
Awards and Recognition
- MTV VMAJ Rising Star Award (2020)
- Mnet Asian Music Awards Best New Asian Artist (2020)
- Japan Gold Disc Award, Best 5 New Artists (2021)
- MTV VMAJ Best Dance Video for “Real” (2021)
- MAMA Best Asian Artist Japan (2021)
- MTV VMAJ Best Live Performance (2022)
- MAMA Favorite Asian Artist (2022 and 2025)
- Japan Record Awards Excellent Work Award for “Trigger” (2023) and “Love Seeker” (2024)
- The Fact Music Awards Popularity Award and Artist of the Year (2024)
- Korea Grand Music Awards K-pop Global Artist (2024)
- MTV VMAJ Best Asia Group (2025)
RaeRae Reacts
Official Socials
Sources
- JO1 official profile and awards list
- JO1 official discography
- LAPONE notice concerning Shosei Ohira
- Official statement from Shion Tsurubo
- Oricon report on “WHATCHA DOIN’” and ANIMAL
- NamuWiki JO1 reference page in Korean
- JO1 on English Wikipedia, used as a coverage audit
YouTube video tracking history
Official videos connected to this profile. Current total views and daily gains are supplied automatically by the CVM Sekai YouTube Tracker.