Introducing Fortune’s first-ever Most Influential Women Asia ranking

Core Insights - Fortune's Asia team has introduced its first-ever "Most Influential Women" ranking, showcasing twelve women from various sectors including pop culture, policymaking, and professional sports, highlighting the diverse expressions of power in the Asia-Pacific region [1] Group 1: Pop Culture - Blackpink, a leading K-pop girl group, has achieved significant milestones, including being the first to sell over one million and two million album copies in South Korea, and topping the Billboard 200 album chart, contributing to South Korea's cultural influence globally [2] - Individual members of Blackpink have launched their own agencies, marking a shift in the K-Pop industry traditionally dominated by large agencies, and are expanding into new media such as television and fashion [3] - Michelle Yeoh, after winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023, has become a prominent advocate for representation in the film industry, leveraging her platform to promote gender equality and environmental sustainability [6] - Xin Zhilei has gained international recognition, winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, and is influencing style conversations while advocating for better scripts and female representation in film [7] Group 2: Sports - Alexandra Eala has made significant strides in tennis, reaching her first WTA Tour final at 20 and winning a junior Grand Slam singles crown, thereby enhancing the sport's profile in Southeast Asia [8] - Eileen Gu made history by winning three Olympic medals in freestyle skiing at 18, and is actively promoting mental health and environmental sustainability while also being a sought-after model and brand ambassador [9] - Naomi Osaka, representing Japan in international competitions, has used her platform to advocate for social causes and mental health, while also launching her own talent agency to support women's sports [10][12] - Zheng Qinwen has emerged as a key figure in Chinese women's tennis, winning the Olympic gold in 2024 and reaching the Australian Open final, while also being a marketable athlete with partnerships with brands like Dior and Rolex [13] Group 3: Policymaking - Josephine Teo, appointed as Singapore's minister for digital development and information, is leading initiatives like Smart Nation 2.0, which allocates 1 billion Singapore dollars ($780 million) towards AI for public good, and has introduced new standards for generative AI [4] - Yuriko Koike, as governor of Tokyo, has implemented reforms for efficiency and gender diversity, managing the COVID pandemic and the 2020 Olympics, while advocating for more women in leadership roles [5]