ObjectiveRecent advances in single‐cell RNA sequencing technology have improved our understanding of the immunological landscape of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to stratify the synovium from Japanese patients with RA by immune cell compositions and gain insight into the inflammatory drivers of each synovial phenotype.MethodsSynovial tissues were obtained from Japanese patients with RA (n = 41) undergoing articular surgery. The cellular composition was quantified by a deconvolution approach using a public single‐cell‐based reference. Inflammatory pathway activity was calculated by gene set variation analysis, and chromatin accessibility was evaluated using Assay of Transposase Accessible Chromatin (ATAC)‐sequencing.ResultsWe stratified RA synovium into three distinct subtypes based on the hierarchical clustering of cellular composition data. One subtype was characterized by abundant HLA‐DRAhigh synovial fibroblasts, autoimmune‐associated B cells (ABCs), GZMK+ GZMB+ CD8+ T cells, IL1‐β+ monocytes, and plasmablasts. In addition, TNF‐α, interferons, and IL‐6 signaling were highly activated in this subtype, and the expression of various chemokines was significantly enhanced. Moreover, we found an open chromatin region overlapping with RA risk locus rs9405192 near the IRF4 gene, suggesting the genetic background influences the development of this inflammatory synovial state. The other two subtypes were characterized by increased IFNs and IL‐6 signaling, and expression of molecules associated with degeneration, respectively.ConclusionThis study adds insights into the synovial heterogeneity in Japanese patients, and shows a promising link with predominant inflammatory signals. Evaluating the site of inflammation has the potential to lead to appropriate drug selection that matches the individual pathology.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.