Presentation of the first classification of the most influential women in fortune

Here’s who did FortuneThe very first classification of “most influential” women: twelve women of pop culture, the development of professional policies and sports, which show together the various ways whose power is expressed through Asia-Pacific.

Blackfink

Hallyu, the Korean wave, takes up the world – and the group of BlackPink girls was at its crest. Lisa, Jennie, Rosé and Jisoo have beat many records since their beginnings in 2016: the first to sell a million, then two million, album copies in South Korea; The first Korean group to be at the top of the list of Billboard 200 albums; The most profitable concert tour by a female artist. Blackpink, and K-Pop and K-culture more widely, are now a source of South Korean “soft power”, expanding the country’s cultural influence through Asia and beyond.

The individual artists of Blackpink have launched their own agencies as they try to become full -fledged stars: the Lloud de Lisa, the strange workshop of Jennie and the Blissoo of Jisoo. It is a new company for K-POP, normally dominated by large agencies like YG Entertainment (which owns BlackPink), Hybe and SM Entertainment. Now Lisa, Jennie and others branch into new media such as television and fashion.Nicholas Gordon, ASIA fortune editor

Joséphine Teo

Appointed as Singapore Digital and Information Minister in 2024, Josephine Teo is the Smart Nation 2.0 engine, which hires $ 1 billion in Singapore ($ 780 million) to AI for public good. TEO has supervised updates to the Pioneer Governance Framework for AI of the country – one of the first national AI strategies in the world – introducing new standards for generative AI and announcing global security initiatives at the AI ​​action summit in 2025 in France. It has prioritized the creation of an IA-Fluent workforce, with robust training partnerships placing more than 2,600 professionals in AI, data analysis and cybersecurity roles. Teo spent time at the Singapore Economic Development Council and its agency for science, technology and research before making its political debut in 2006. In a previous role as Minister of Workhop, she implemented a 10-year roadmap to increase retirement and re-use agents, defended an increase in cumulative salary of 30% for essential workers and wage wages for the most vulnerable citizens de Singapore.Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo ai

Amal Alhasan – Images Getty for makeshift media

Yuriko Koike

When Yuriko Koike became Governor of Tokyo in 2016, she wasted no time for pressure for efficiency. One of his first reforms was to eliminate the use of “chops” or seals, on official documents, an archaic practice that no one had changed. The people who work for Koike call it a breath of fresh air. I have known Koike for over 20 years. She distinguished herself in stays as Minister of Japan for the Environment and Defense. An initiative was his “cool biz” campaign, encouraging men to abandon ties and offices to raise the thermostat to keep the energy. As a governor of Tokyo, Koike managed the cocovio pandemic and the 2020 Olympic Games: she was on television every night, explaining what the government was doing. Many things in Japan have changed for the best with regard to the diversity of sexes. But what has not changed sufficiently is the need for more women in decision -making positions. While 70% of Japanese women work outside the house, half of those work part -time. This contributed to a lack of women in leadership roles in politics and in business. Koike’s career is a powerful counterexample. His reform, communicator and crisis manager report helps to extend what is possible for women and strengthen Tokyo’s ability to lead on the world scene.Kathy Matsui, general partner, Mower Partners

Michelle Yeoh

Since he won the Academy Award for best actress in 2023 for her revolutionary role in “Everything Everywhere All Am Fack at Overy”, Michelle Yeoh has become a powerful defender of representation in the film industry. With a career extending over four decades, Yeoh has helped to open the way to Asian actors on the world scene. Her trip began in Hong Kong’s cinema, where she won her glory for her roles in action movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Since then, she has gone to Hollywood, an acclaimed winner for her versatility and depth in various roles. Beyond the action, she defended causes such as gender equality and environmental sustainability, taking advantage of her presence on social networks and her public speaking to put pressure for change.

Xin Zhilei

Freshly out of her out-of-competition role in Wong Kar-Wai’s “Blossom Shanghai”, Xin Zhilei cemented her international ascent last month when she won the prize for best actress at the Venice Film Festival for “The Sun Rises on Us”. It is only the third Chinese actor to claim honor. On Weibo – The main microblogging platform in China – and Instagram, its recommendations stimulate books, films and emerging creators. Her brand partnerships and her presence as a red carpet shape style conversations across Asia, while behind the scenes, she defends sharper scripts and the female casting.

Alexandra “Alex” Eala

Alexandra Eala is a pioneer for Philippin tennis. She reached her first WTA Tour final in June at only 20 years old. She then added a WTA 125 title, and now has a junior crown of the Grand Colem. Training in Manila and the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, it is now a regular characteristic of the main prints of the Grand Slam, and has climbed up to 54 years in the world ranking. Its success increased the profile of tennis through Southeast Asia, especially in the Philippines. Federations and schools are now expanding tennis courts, coaches and girls’ programs – it is obvious that an athlete is everything you need to increase the profile of a sport.

Eileen Feng Gu

Eileen Gu took over the world when she marked history in 2022, winning three Olympic free skiing medals at the age of 18. Born in San Francisco of a Chinese mother, Gui’s decision to compete for the Chinese team both of cultures and, at the same time, sparked discussions on identity and nationalism. Geopolitical tensions can make it try to ride this slightly more delicate cultural division, but Gu has focused on sport and advocacy, pushing for greater consciousness of mental health and environmental sustainability. Gu is also a desired model and brand ambassador, working with national and global brands like Luckin Coffee, JD.com, Estee Lauder and Tiffany & Co.

Lighta Zhang – Images Getty

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka shows that national identity can be a fluid thing, especially in the world of professional elite sports. Osaka, born in Japan in 1997, spent most of her life in the United States, training to become an elite tennis player. She kissed her Japanese origins, representing the Asian country in international sports competitions and lighting the Olympic torch at the Tokyo 2020 games. Osaka used her platform to defend social causes and the importance of mental health. She is now back on the ground after a brief break after the birth of her child.

She also adopts her role as a cultural guardian: she launched her own talent agency and invests in efforts to stimulate the field of female sports. And Osaka still stimulates global cultural conversation: its personalized Labu dolls – like “Andre Swagassi” – contribute to the world’s mid -beaten on Buzzy toys in Pop Mart.

Zheng Qinwen

Zheng Qinwen defines the tennis of Chinese women. In 2024, she won Olympic gold for single tennis in Paris and reached the Australian Open final. In June of this year, she had climbed to n ° 4 in the world ranking – only the second Chinese after Li Na to enter the first five. Its influence is seen in pop culture as much as in professional sports: it has inspired rise celebrations and encouraged more Chinese tennis players. And it has also proven to be a marketable athlete, as the World Ambassador of Dior and partner of Rolex and Audi.

Additional levels written by Nicholas Gordon, Charmaine NG and Ashleigh.