This year, Fortune’s Asia team is highlighting several women leaders who are showing influence and power beyond the corporate boardroom.
Here’s who made it onto Fortune’s first-ever “Most Influential Women” ranking: Twelve women from pop culture, policymaking and professional sports, who together show the diverse ways that power gets expressed across the Asia-Pacific.
Blackpink
Hallyu, the Korean wave, is taking over the world—and girl group Blackpink has been at its crest. Lisa, Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo have broken numerous records since their debut in 2016: the first to sell one million, then two million, album copies in South Korea; the first Korean group to top the Billboard 200 album chart; the highest-grossing concert tour by a female artist. Blackpink, and K-pop and K-culture more broadly, are now a source of South Korean “soft power,” expanding the country’s cultural influence across Asia and beyond.
Blackpink’s individual artists have launched their own agencies as they try to become stars in their own right: Lisa’s LLOUD, Jennie’s Odd Atelier and Jisoo’s Blissoo. It’s a new venture for K-Pop, normally dominated by big agencies like YG Entertainment (which own Blackpink), Hybe and SM Entertainment. Now, Lisa, Jennie and others are branching to new media like television and fashion.—Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia editor
Josephine Teo
Appointed as Singapore’s minister for digital development and information in 2024, Josephine Teo is the driving force behind Smart Nation 2.0, which commits 1 billion Singapore dollars ($780 million) toward AI for the public good. Teo has overseen updates to the country’s pioneering AI governance framework— one of the world’s first national AI strategies—introducing new standards for generative AI and announcing global safety initiatives at the 2025 AI Action Summit in France. She’s prioritized building an AI-fluent workforce, with robust training partnerships placing more than 2,600 professionals in AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity roles. Teo spent time at Singapore’s Economic Development Board and its Agency for Science, Technology, and Research before making her political debut in 2006. In a previous role as minister for manpower, she implemented a 10-year road map to raise retirement and reemployment ages, championed a 30% cumulative wage increase for essential workers, and expanded wage support for Singapore’s most vulnerable citizens.—Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo AI
Yuriko Koike
When Yuriko Koike became governor of Tokyo in 2016, she wasted no time pushing for efficiency. One of her first reforms was eliminating the use of “chops,” or seals, on official documents, an archaic practice that no one had been able to change. People who work for Koike call her a breath of fresh air. I’ve known Koike for over 20 years. She distinguished herself in stints as Japan’s environment and defense minister. One initiative was her “Cool Biz” campaign, encouraging men to ditch neckties, and offices to turn up the thermostat to conserve energy. As Tokyo’s governor, Koike managed the COVID pandemic and the 2020 Olympics: She was on TV every night, explaining what the government was doing. A lot of things in Japan have changed for the better regarding gender diversity. But what hasn’t changed enough is the need for more women in decision-making positions. While 70% of Japanese women work outside the home, half of those work part-time. That’s helped lead to a lack of women in leadership roles in politics and in business. Koike’s career is a powerful counterexample. Her record as a reformer, communicator, and crisis manager helps expand what’s possible for women and strengthens Tokyo’s capacity to lead on the world stage.—Kathy Matsui, General Partner, MPower Partners
Michelle Yeoh
Since winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023 for her groundbreaking role in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, Michelle Yeoh has become a powerful advocate for representation in the film industry. With a career spanning over four decades, Yeoh has helped pave the way for Asian actors on the global stage. Her journey began in Hong Kong cinema, where she won fame for her roles in action films like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. She has since transitioned to Hollywood, earning acclaim for her versatility and depth in diverse roles. Beyond acting, she’s championed causes like gender equality and environmental sustainability, leveraging her social media presence and public speaking engagements to push for change.
Xin Zhilei
Fresh off her standout role in Wong Kar-wai’s “Blossoms Shanghai,” Xin Zhilei cemented her international ascent last month when she won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for “The Sun Rises on Us All.” She’s only the third Chinese actor to claim the honor. On Weibo—China’s leading microblogging platform—and Instagram, her recommendations boost books, films, and emerging creators. Her brand partnerships and red-carpet presence shapes style conversations across Asia, while behind the scenes, she’s championing sharper scripts and female-forward casting.
Alexandra “Alex” Eala
Alexandra Eala is a trailblazer for Filipino tennis. She reached her first WTA Tour final in June at just 20. She then added a WTA 125 title, and now owns a junior Grand Slam singles crown. Training in both Manila and the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, she’s now a regular feature in Grand Slam main draws, and has climbed as high as No. 54 in the global rankings. Her success has lifted tennis’s profile across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines. Federations and schools are now expanding tennis courts, coaching and girls’ programs—evidence that one athlete is all it takes to boost a sport’s profile.
Eileen Feng Gu
Eileen Gu took the world by storm when she made history in 2022, winning three Olympic medals in freestyle skiing at the age of 18. Born in San Francisco to a Chinese mother, Gu’s decision to compete for the Chinese team both bridged cultures and, at the same time, sparked discussions about identity and nationalism. Geopolitical tensions may be making her attempt to straddle that cultural divide a little trickier, yet Gu has remained focused on sport and advocacy, pushing for greater awareness of both mental health and environmental sustainability. Gu is also a sought-after model and brand ambassador, working with both domestic and global brands like Luckin Coffee, JD.com, Estee Lauder, and Tiffany & Co.
Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka shows that national identity can be a fluid thing, particularly in the world of elite professional sports. Osaka, born in Japan in 1997, spent most of her life in the U.S., training to become an elite tennis player. She’s embraced her Japanese origins, representing the Asian country in international sporting competitions and lighting the Olympic torch at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Osaka has used her platform to champion social causes and the importance of mental health. She’s now back on the court after a brief break following the birth of her child.
She’s also embracing her role as a cultural tastemaker: She’s launched her own talent agency and is investing in endeavors to boost the field of women’s sports. And Osaka is still driving the global cultural conversation: Her customized Labubu dolls—like “Andre Swagassi”—are contributing to the global hype over Pop Mart’s buzzy toys.
Zheng Qinwen
Zheng Qinwen defines Chinese women’s tennis. In 2024, she won the Olympic gold for singles tennis in Paris and reached the final of the Australian Open. By June of this year, she’d climbed to No. 4 in the global rankings—only the second Chinese woman after Li Na to enter the top five. Her influence is seen in pop culture as much as in professional sports: She’s inspired watch parties and encouraged more Chinese tennis players. And she’s proved to be a marketable athlete too, as a Dior global ambassador and a partner of Rolex and Audi.
Additional blurbs written by Nicholas Gordon, Charmaine Ngand Ashleigh Nghiem.
