An independent InfluenceAsia editorial and research ranking recognizing the leaders whose decisions, institutions, companies, ideas and public presence most shaped Asia during the 2018 annual window.
InfluenceAsia 100: Asia's Most Influential Leaders 2018 identifies the public leaders, business builders, technology founders, investors, scientists, cultural figures, social innovators and athletes whose 2018 influence reached beyond personal achievement into institutional consequence, market movement, public imagination or regional transformation. The ranking is designed as an InfluenceAsia leadership assessment, not a wealth list, popularity poll or title hierarchy.
The 2018 leadership year was defined by digital platforms entering the mainstream economy, Asian capital reshaping global technology, public leaders navigating polarization and reform, and cultural figures carrying Asian identity into global arenas. The most influential leaders combined authority with transmission: they moved policy, markets, technology, culture, science, social systems or public confidence.
The edition considers individuals with material Asian relevance through nationality, operating base, institutional role, company leadership, cultural reach, public mandate, scientific contribution, social impact or regional influence during the 2018 editorial window. Chinese political officeholders and party-state figures are outside the scope of this edition. Business, technology, investment, scientific, cultural and social-impact leaders from China may be considered where their influence is non-political and independently assessable.
The top tier reflects public authority, institutional scale, platform power, capital formation and cultural transmission across the annual window.
Modi is ranked first because his 2018 influence operated at continental scale: policy, technology adoption, public administration, geopolitical positioning and mass political communication converged in one leadership platform.
Abe's 2018 influence came from persistence and strategic clarity. He positioned Japan as a stable economic and diplomatic actor while regional power balances shifted.
Ma's influence in 2018 came from symbolic and operating power: he made Asian platform entrepreneurship legible to the world while Alibaba shaped commerce and cloud adoption.
Ambani's 2018 influence came from the ability to move an entire consumer market. Jio changed how Indians used data, entertainment, payments and mobile services.
Ma's influence came from the quiet operating density of Tencent's platforms. Few leaders commanded such deep proximity to everyday communication, entertainment and services.
Son's 2018 influence came from extraordinary capital force. He made Japanese-listed capital a decisive actor in global technology company formation.
All 100 ranked leaders are shown below with their 2018 role, market, field of influence and score.
| Rank | Leader | 2018 Role | Market / Region | Field / Territory | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra ModiModi remained one of Asia's most consequential public leaders in 2018, combining national electoral authority, infrastructure ambition, digital governance, financial inclusion and international diplomacy. | Prime Minister of India | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Public Leadership and Economic ReformIndian governance, digital public infrastructure, infrastructure investment, foreign policy, financial inclusion and national political mobilization | 99 |
| 2 | Shinzo AbeAbe remained Japan's central political leader in 2018, advancing economic continuity, regional diplomacy, security policy and Japan's role in a changing Indo-Pacific order. | Prime Minister of Japan | JapanEast Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Economic Strategy and Security PolicyJapanese governance, economic policy, trade diplomacy, security strategy, regional alliances and institutional stability | 98.6 |
| 3 | Jack MaMa remained the most visible global face of Chinese entrepreneurship in 2018, guiding Alibaba's commerce, cloud, digital finance ecosystem and leadership succession narrative. | Executive Chairman, Alibaba Group | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Technology, Commerce and Entrepreneurshipdigital commerce, cloud computing, entrepreneurship, merchant ecosystems, digital finance adjacency and China-to-global business imagination | 98.2 |
| 4 | Mukesh AmbaniAmbani turned Reliance into one of Asia's most influential hybrid companies in 2018, using Jio to accelerate affordable data access while sustaining industrial strength in energy and retail. | Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Telecom, Energy, Retail and Digital Infrastructuremobile data, telecom disruption, retail, energy, consumer platforms, Indian digital inclusion and infrastructure capital | 97.9 |
| 5 | Pony MaPony Ma led Tencent through a complex 2018 cycle in which WeChat, gaming, payments, cloud and enterprise services remained embedded in Chinese digital life. | Chairman and CEO, Tencent | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Technology Platforms, Social Media, Gaming and Paymentssocial platforms, gaming, payments, cloud, enterprise services, digital content and Chinese mobile ecosystems | 97.5 |
| 6 | Masayoshi SonSon remained one of Asia's most powerful technology capital allocators in 2018, using SoftBank's capital platform to shape global internet, AI, mobility and semiconductor-linked ambitions. | Chairman and CEO, SoftBank Group | JapanEast Asia / Global | Technology Capital, Telecom and Global Platformstechnology investment, telecom, AI, mobility platforms, semiconductor architecture, robotics and global startup capital | 97.1 |
| 7 | Ren ZhengfeiRen Zhengfei guided Huawei through a globally consequential 2018 year as 5G, carrier networks, smartphones, cloud and enterprise technology placed the company at the center of international technology competition. | Founder and CEO, Huawei | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Telecom Infrastructure, Enterprise Technology and Smart Devices5G, telecom networks, smartphones, enterprise ICT, cloud, research culture and Chinese technology globalization | 96.7 |
| 8 | Moon Jae-inMoon became one of 2018's defining diplomatic leaders through inter-Korean engagement, regional security dialogue and efforts to reposition South Korea as an active mediator. | President of South Korea | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Diplomacy and Peace ProcessKorean diplomacy, peace process, regional security, public trust, economic governance and Northeast Asian stability | 96.3 |
| 9 | Joko WidodoJokowi remained a central Southeast Asian leader in 2018, advancing infrastructure, social programs, investment confidence and Indonesia's growing digital-economy profile. | President of Indonesia | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | Public Leadership, Infrastructure and Digital-Economy Developmentinfrastructure, public services, digital economy, social policy, investment climate and Indonesian national development | 96 |
| 10 | Mahathir MohamadMahathir returned to national leadership in 2018 through a historic electoral transition, reshaping Malaysia's governance debate, reform agenda and regional political imagination. | Prime Minister of Malaysia | MalaysiaSoutheast Asia | Public Leadership and Democratic Transitiondemocratic transition, governance reform, public accountability, Malaysian politics and Southeast Asian political confidence | 95.6 |
| 11 | Lee Hsien LoongLee remained one of Asia's most institutionally respected leaders in 2018, guiding Singapore through digital-government priorities, regional chairmanship and global-city diplomacy. | Prime Minister of Singapore | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Digital Governance and Regional DiplomacySingapore governance, digital public services, regional diplomacy, financial stability, smart nation policy and institutional trust | 95.2 |
| 12 | Mohammed bin SalmanMohammed bin Salman remained one of West Asia's most consequential leaders in 2018, driving economic transformation, social-policy change and a forceful reorientation of Saudi national ambition. | Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Economic Transformation and Social Reformeconomic diversification, social reform, energy strategy, capital markets, regional power and Saudi transformation | 94.8 |
| 13 | Mohammed bin Zayed Al NahyanMohammed bin Zayed remained a defining Gulf leader in 2018, shaping Abu Dhabi's security posture, economic diversification, education, technology investment and regional strategy. | Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Security Strategy and Economic ModernizationGulf security, sovereign investment, education, innovation policy, economic diversification and regional diplomacy | 94.4 |
| 14 | Mohammed bin Rashid Al MaktoumMohammed bin Rashid continued to shape Dubai's global city model in 2018 through logistics, aviation, tourism, digital government and entrepreneurship-driven urban ambition. | Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE; Ruler of Dubai | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Urban Development and Global City StrategyDubai governance, smart city strategy, aviation, tourism, logistics, entrepreneurship and global urban branding | 94.1 |
| 15 | Tamim bin Hamad Al ThaniTamim bin Hamad Al Thani remained a significant West Asian leader in 2018 as Qatar navigated regional pressure while sustaining energy strategy, investment strength and national resilience. | Emir of Qatar | QatarWest Asia / Global | Public Leadership, Energy Strategy and National Resilienceenergy, sovereign investment, national resilience, regional diplomacy, media influence and state modernization | 93.7 |
| 16 | Sheikh HasinaSheikh Hasina remained a major South Asian leader in 2018, associated with infrastructure expansion, garment-sector strength, digital development and Bangladesh's rising economic profile. | Prime Minister of Bangladesh | BangladeshSouth Asia | Public Leadership, Economic Development and Social Transformationeconomic development, digital services, infrastructure, women's workforce participation, garment exports and national resilience | 93.3 |
| 17 | Imran KhanImran Khan became one of South Asia's most visible new public leaders in 2018, entering office with a reform message, anti-corruption mandate and broad public expectation. | Prime Minister of Pakistan | PakistanSouth Asia | Public Leadership and Political Renewalgovernance reform, public mobilization, social welfare agenda, diplomacy and Pakistani political renewal | 92.9 |
| 18 | Hassan RouhaniRouhani remained one of West Asia's most consequential leaders in 2018 as Iran faced renewed external pressure, economic strain and continuing regional diplomatic complexity. | President of Iran | IranWest Asia | Public Leadership, Diplomacy and Economic Resiliencediplomacy, economic management, regional strategy, energy politics and institutional continuity | 92.5 |
| 19 | Sri Mulyani IndrawatiSri Mulyani remained one of Asia's most respected economic policymakers in 2018, strengthening fiscal credibility, tax reform and investor confidence in Indonesia. | Minister of Finance of Indonesia | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia / Global | Economic Policy, Public Finance and Governancepublic finance, fiscal reform, tax policy, investor confidence, infrastructure funding and Indonesian economic governance | 92.2 |
| 20 | Tharman ShanmugaratnamTharman remained one of Asia's most respected public-policy leaders in 2018, combining financial expertise, social policy depth and international economic credibility. | Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Economic Policy, Financial Governance and Global Public Leadershipeconomic governance, financial regulation, social policy, education, global public finance and Singapore public leadership | 91.8 |
| 21 | Lei JunLei Jun led Xiaomi through one of 2018's landmark Asian technology listings, expanding the company's smartphone, IoT and value-consumer technology platform. | Founder, Chairman and CEO, Xiaomi | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Consumer Technology and Smart Devicessmartphones, IoT devices, public-market technology, consumer hardware, India expansion and connected homes | 91.4 |
| 22 | Zhang YimingZhang Yiming became one of Asia's most important technology founders in 2018 as ByteDance expanded algorithmic content, short video and global mobile attention. | Founder and CEO, ByteDance | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Artificial Intelligence, Mobile Content and Short Videorecommendation systems, short video, mobile content, creator platforms, AI distribution and global youth media | 91 |
| 23 | Colin HuangColin Huang became a defining e-commerce leader in 2018 as Pinduoduo's public listing and rapid user growth highlighted a new social-commerce model. | Founder and CEO, Pinduoduo | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Social Commerce and Mobile Retailsocial commerce, group buying, value retail, mobile shopping, lower-tier city consumers and platform growth | 90.6 |
| 24 | Wang XingWang Xing led Meituan-Dianping through a major 2018 public listing while expanding local services, food delivery, travel, ticketing and merchant technology. | Founder and CEO, Meituan-Dianping | ChinaEast Asia | Local Services, Food Delivery and Platform Commercefood delivery, local services, merchant tools, travel services, urban logistics and Chinese platform commerce | 90.3 |
| 25 | Akio ToyodaAkio Toyoda continued to reposition Toyota in 2018 around mobility, connected vehicles, electrification and long-term manufacturing competitiveness. | President, Toyota Motor Corporation | JapanEast Asia / Global | Automotive, Mobility and Manufacturing Leadershipautomotive manufacturing, mobility services, hybrid technology, connected vehicles, hydrogen strategy and Japanese industrial leadership | 89.9 |
| 26 | Lee Jae-yongLee Jae-yong remained central to Samsung's strategic direction in 2018 as memory, displays, smartphones and global electronics competition intensified. | Vice Chairman, Samsung Electronics | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Semiconductors, Devices and Global Technology Strategysemiconductors, smartphones, displays, global electronics, technology investment and Korean corporate leadership | 89.5 |
| 27 | Tadashi YanaiTadashi Yanai expanded Fast Retailing's global relevance in 2018 through Uniqlo's functional apparel, supply-chain discipline and Asia-to-global brand strategy. | Chairman, President and CEO, Fast Retailing | JapanEast Asia / Global | Retail, Apparel and Global Consumer Brandsapparel retail, Uniqlo, supply-chain systems, global stores, Japanese consumer brands and retail innovation | 89.1 |
| 28 | Morris ChangMorris Chang marked a defining leadership year in 2018 as TSMC remained central to the world's semiconductor supply chain and Taiwan's technology identity. | Founder and Chairman, TSMC | TaiwanEast Asia / Global | Semiconductors and Advanced Manufacturingsemiconductor manufacturing, foundry model, advanced nodes, customer neutrality, Taiwan industry and global chip supply | 88.7 |
| 29 | Robin LiRobin Li kept Baidu focused on AI in 2018, advancing search, autonomous driving, cloud, voice interfaces and machine-learning infrastructure. | Co-founder, Chairman and CEO, Baidu | ChinaEast Asia | Search, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous DrivingAI, search, autonomous driving, cloud, maps, voice technology and Chinese internet platforms | 88.4 |
| 30 | Daniel ZhangDaniel Zhang remained central to Alibaba's operating leadership in 2018, guiding retail technology, cloud growth, platform execution and major shopping-event scale. | CEO, Alibaba Group | ChinaEast Asia / Global | E-Commerce, Retail Technology and Cloud Strategye-commerce operations, New Retail, cloud, merchant services, consumer data and digital marketplaces | 88 |
| 31 | Eric JingEric Jing guided Ant Financial in 2018 as mobile payments, inclusive finance, wealth products and technology services reshaped Chinese financial behavior. | Executive Chairman and CEO, Ant Financial | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Financial Technology and Digital PaymentsAlipay, digital payments, inclusive finance, wealth technology, merchant services and fintech infrastructure | 87.6 |
| 32 | Frank WangFrank Wang sustained DJI's global leadership in 2018 across consumer drones, professional aerial imaging, enterprise use cases and robotics hardware. | Founder and CEO, DJI | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Drones, Robotics and Aerial Imagingdrones, aerial imaging, robotics hardware, creators, agriculture, inspection and industrial data collection | 87.2 |
| 33 | Terry GouTerry Gou remained one of Asia's most consequential industrial leaders in 2018, overseeing manufacturing systems behind smartphones, servers, components and global electronics. | Founder and Chairman, Hon Hai Precision Industry | TaiwanEast Asia / Global | Electronics Manufacturing and Global Supply Chainselectronics manufacturing, global supply chains, factory systems, smartphone assembly, server hardware and Taiwan industrial power | 86.8 |
| 34 | Cheng WeiCheng Wei remained one of Asia's central mobility founders in 2018 as Didi's scale, regulation, safety responsibilities and global ambitions made ride-hailing a public issue. | Founder and CEO, Didi Chuxing | ChinaEast Asia | Mobility Platforms and Urban Transportride-hailing, mobility platforms, driver networks, urban transport, safety systems and China platform regulation | 86.5 |
| 35 | Jean LiuJean Liu remained one of Asia's most visible women in technology leadership in 2018, shaping Didi's partnerships, institutional relationships and platform-governance response. | President, Didi Chuxing | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Mobility Strategy, Partnerships and Platform Governancemobility strategy, global partnerships, platform governance, safety response, capital relationships and China technology leadership | 86.1 |
| 36 | Robin ZengRobin Zeng became one of 2018's most important industrial technology leaders as CATL's listing and battery leadership placed energy storage at the center of electric mobility. | Founder and Chairman, CATL | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Batteries, Electric Mobility and Energy StorageEV batteries, energy storage, battery materials, automotive supply chains, clean mobility and Chinese industrial technology | 85.7 |
| 37 | Anthony TanAnthony Tan led Grab through a transformative 2018 year, expanding from ride-hailing into payments, food delivery and a broader Southeast Asian platform model. | Co-founder and CEO, Grab | Singapore / MalaysiaSoutheast Asia | Mobility, Payments and Superapp Platformsride-hailing, payments, food delivery, driver networks, Southeast Asian cities and superapp strategy | 85.3 |
| 38 | Nadiem MakarimNadiem Makarim strengthened Go-Jek's role in 2018 as Indonesia's defining on-demand platform across transport, food, courier services and payments. | Founder and CEO, Go-Jek | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | Mobility, On-Demand Services and Digital Paymentsmotorbike mobility, food delivery, payments, driver livelihoods, Indonesian digital services and urban logistics | 84.9 |
| 39 | Vijay Shekhar SharmaVijay Shekhar Sharma remained a defining Indian fintech leader in 2018 as Paytm expanded payments, merchant acceptance, financial products and consumer digital services. | Founder and CEO, Paytm | IndiaSouth Asia | Digital Payments and Consumer Financial Technologymobile wallets, QR payments, merchant services, financial inclusion, digital commerce and Indian fintech | 84.6 |
| 40 | Byju RaveendranByju Raveendran became one of Asia's most visible education-technology founders in 2018, expanding mobile learning, test preparation and personalized digital education. | Founder and CEO, BYJU'S | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Education Technology and Digital Learningedtech, mobile learning, test preparation, personalized instruction, Indian families and global learning expansion | 84.2 |
| 41 | Ritesh AgarwalRitesh Agarwal pushed OYO's 2018 expansion across budget hospitality, standardized stays, franchise operations and international growth. | Founder and CEO, OYO | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Hospitality Technology and Franchise Platformsbudget hotels, hospitality technology, franchise systems, travel consumers, small-property digitization and Indian startup globalization | 83.8 |
| 42 | Forrest LiForrest Li led Sea in 2018 as Garena, Shopee and digital financial services gave Southeast Asia a public technology platform with regional depth. | Founder, Chairman and Group CEO, Sea | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Gaming, E-Commerce and Digital Financeonline games, e-commerce, digital payments, Southeast Asian consumers, merchants and regional internet platforms | 83.4 |
| 43 | William TanuwijayaWilliam Tanuwijaya remained a leading Indonesian technology founder in 2018, using Tokopedia to support merchants, consumers and digital entrepreneurship across the archipelago. | Co-founder and CEO, Tokopedia | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | E-Commerce, Marketplace Platforms and Digital Entrepreneurshipmarketplace commerce, SMEs, digital entrepreneurship, payments adjacency, Indonesian consumer internet and merchant enablement | 83 |
| 44 | Min-Liang TanMin-Liang Tan sustained Razer's global gaming influence in 2018 through hardware, software, esports culture and a direct relationship with gaming communities. | Co-founder and CEO, Razer | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Gaming Hardware, Esports and Consumer Technologygaming hardware, esports, laptops, peripherals, software platforms and youth technology culture | 82.7 |
| 45 | Tan Hooi LingTan Hooi Ling remained a key leader in Grab's 2018 expansion, representing the operational and inclusive dimension of Southeast Asian platform building. | Co-founder, Grab | Malaysia / SingaporeSoutheast Asia | Mobility, Platform Operations and Inclusive Technologyride-hailing, operations, driver ecosystems, product trust, regional expansion and women in technology leadership | 82.3 |
| 46 | Sachin BansalSachin Bansal remained a defining figure in Indian entrepreneurship in 2018 as Flipkart's landmark transaction underscored the value of India's e-commerce ecosystem. | Co-founder, Flipkart | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | E-Commerce, Startup Formation and Digital Retaile-commerce, startup exits, digital retail, founder capital, Indian consumer internet and technology entrepreneurship | 81.9 |
| 47 | Binny BansalBinny Bansal remained central to Flipkart's 2018 operating story, linking marketplace execution, logistics, consumer acquisition and India's digital-retail maturity. | Co-founder and Group CEO, Flipkart | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | E-Commerce, Operations and Consumer Internetmarketplace operations, logistics, consumer internet, Indian e-commerce and organizational scaling | 81.5 |
| 48 | Ho ChingHo Ching remained one of Asia's most influential capital leaders in 2018, directing a long-term investment institution with major exposure to technology, finance, healthcare and Asian growth. | CEO, Temasek Holdings | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Sovereign Capital and Global Investmentsovereign capital, portfolio strategy, technology investment, financial institutions, healthcare and Singapore global capital | 81.1 |
| 49 | Neil ShenNeil Shen remained one of Asia's most influential venture investors in 2018, backing companies across consumer internet, enterprise technology, healthcare and digital services. | Founding Managing Partner, Sequoia Capital China | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Venture Capital and Technology Company Formationventure capital, startup scaling, Chinese technology, healthcare innovation, founder networks and private-market governance | 80.8 |
| 50 | Kai-Fu LeeKai-Fu Lee remained a major AI and venture leadership voice in 2018, linking technical understanding, startup formation and public conversation around artificial intelligence. | Chairman and CEO, Sinovation Ventures | China / TaiwanEast Asia / Global | Artificial Intelligence, Venture Capital and Technology Thought LeadershipAI investment, founder mentorship, China technology startups, talent development and public AI literacy | 80.4 |
| 51 | Jenny LeeJenny Lee remained one of Asia's most influential technology investors in 2018, backing founders across China, Southeast Asia and global growth markets. | Managing Partner, GGV Capital | Singapore / ChinaSoutheast Asia / East Asia | Venture Capital, Technology Investment and Cross-Border Startupsventure capital, consumer internet, hardware, enterprise technology, founder networks and cross-border scaling | 80 |
| 52 | Nisa LeungNisa Leung remained a leading healthcare technology investor in 2018, supporting biotech, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare innovation across China and Asia. | Managing Partner, Qiming Venture Partners | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Healthcare Investment, Biotechnology and Venture Capitalbiotech, healthcare venture capital, medical devices, diagnostics, life sciences and innovation financing | 79.6 |
| 53 | Kiran Mazumdar-ShawKiran Mazumdar-Shaw remained one of India's most influential science-led business leaders in 2018, advancing biotechnology, biosimilars, research capacity and affordable medicine. | Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Biotechnology, Affordable Medicine and Life Sciencesbiotechnology, biosimilars, affordable healthcare, life sciences, women in business and Indian pharmaceutical innovation | 79.2 |
| 54 | Uday KotakUday Kotak remained a defining Indian financial leader in 2018, representing disciplined private-sector banking, governance and institution-building. | Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Kotak Mahindra Bank | IndiaSouth Asia | Banking, Financial Services and Institutional Entrepreneurshipbanking, wealth, financial services, institutional governance, credit discipline and Indian private finance | 78.9 |
| 55 | Nandan NilekaniNandan Nilekani remained a major Indian technology statesman in 2018, linking enterprise technology, digital identity, public platforms and institutional governance. | Chairman, Infosys; Digital Public Infrastructure Architect | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Technology, Digital Identity and Public Systemsdigital identity, enterprise software, public digital systems, financial inclusion and Indian technology governance | 78.5 |
| 56 | Ratan TataRatan Tata remained a deeply respected Asian business leader in 2018, combining institutional stewardship, philanthropy, startup support and global Indian corporate credibility. | Chairman Emeritus, Tata Sons | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Business Stewardship, Philanthropy and Startup Patronageindustrial stewardship, philanthropy, startup mentorship, consumer trust and Indian corporate values | 78.1 |
| 57 | Azim PremjiAzim Premji remained one of Asia's most respected business and philanthropic leaders in 2018, linking technology services with large-scale education and social investment. | Chairman, Wipro | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Technology Services, Philanthropy and EducationIT services, philanthropy, education, social investment, governance and Indian corporate citizenship | 77.7 |
| 58 | Indra NooyiIndra Nooyi remained one of the world's most prominent Asian-origin business leaders in 2018, concluding a transformative tenure defined by portfolio strategy, health-conscious positioning and global management discipline. | Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo | India / United StatesSouth Asia / Global | Global Business Leadership and Consumer Strategyconsumer goods, corporate strategy, women in leadership, global management and Asian executive representation | 77.3 |
| 59 | Gautam AdaniGautam Adani remained one of India's most influential infrastructure leaders in 2018, expanding across ports, power, logistics, transmission and strategic industrial assets. | Chairman, Adani Group | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Logisticsports, energy, logistics, infrastructure, industrial corridors and Indian private capital formation | 77 |
| 60 | Peter Ma MingzhePeter Ma remained a defining Chinese financial-services leader in 2018, pushing Ping An across insurance, fintech, health technology and data-led retail finance. | Chairman, Ping An Insurance Group | ChinaEast Asia | Financial Services, Insurance Technology and Healthcare Platformsinsurance, fintech, health platforms, AI-enabled finance, retail financial services and institutional innovation | 76.6 |
| 61 | Wang ChuanfuWang Chuanfu remained one of Asia's most important clean-mobility industrialists in 2018, advancing electric vehicles, batteries, buses and power electronics. | Founder, Chairman and President, BYD | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Electric Vehicles, Batteries and Clean Mobilityelectric vehicles, batteries, buses, plug-in hybrids, energy storage and Chinese industrial technology | 76.2 |
| 62 | Hiroshi MikitaniHiroshi Mikitani remained a major Japanese internet leader in 2018, combining e-commerce, fintech, loyalty systems, mobile strategy and global platform ambition. | Founder, Chairman and CEO, Rakuten | JapanEast Asia / Global | E-Commerce, Fintech and Digital Platformse-commerce, fintech, loyalty, mobile services, digital content and Japanese internet platforms | 75.8 |
| 63 | William DingWilliam Ding remained one of China's most respected internet entrepreneurs in 2018, combining mobile games, online services, music and digital content. | Founder and CEO, NetEase | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Gaming, Digital Content and Internet Servicesonline games, mobile games, digital content, music, education and Chinese consumer internet | 75.4 |
| 64 | Dong MingzhuDong Mingzhu remained one of China's most visible business leaders in 2018, associated with appliance manufacturing, brand discipline, retail channels and strong executive authority. | Chairwoman, Gree Electric Appliances | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Manufacturing, Consumer Appliances and Corporate Leadershiphome appliances, manufacturing quality, consumer brands, retail channels and women in corporate leadership | 75.1 |
| 65 | Yang YuanqingYang Yuanqing continued to lead Lenovo in 2018 through global PC competition, enterprise hardware, mobile challenges and the transformation of computing markets. | Chairman and CEO, Lenovo Group | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Computing Hardware and Global Technology OperationsPCs, enterprise hardware, global operations, supply chains, Chinese technology brands and device strategy | 74.7 |
| 66 | Li Ka-shingLi Ka-shing marked a major leadership transition in 2018 while remaining one of Asia's most influential business figures across infrastructure, property, ports, telecom and philanthropy. | Senior Advisor and Former Chairman, CK Hutchison and CK Asset | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Business Stewardship, Infrastructure and Global ConglomeratesHong Kong business, infrastructure, property, ports, telecom, philanthropy and family-enterprise succession | 74.3 |
| 67 | Wang JianlinWang Jianlin remained a high-profile Chinese business leader in 2018 as Wanda continued to reposition across commercial property, culture, cinema and consumer services. | Chairman, Dalian Wanda Group | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Commercial Property, Culture and Consumer Servicescommercial property, cinema, culture, sports, tourism, Chinese consumer spaces and private conglomerate strategy | 73.9 |
| 68 | Zhang XinZhang Xin remained one of China's most visible women business leaders in 2018, associated with landmark architecture, urban commercial real estate and public corporate leadership. | Co-founder and CEO, SOHO China | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Real Estate, Architecture and Urban Business Leadershipcommercial property, architecture, urban design, women in business and Chinese corporate leadership | 73.5 |
| 69 | Mudassir SheikhaMudassir Sheikha led Careem in 2018 as the Middle East's leading ride-hailing platform, expanding mobility, payments adjacency and regional technology confidence. | Co-founder and Managing Director, Careem | United Arab Emirates / PakistanWest Asia / South Asia | Mobility Platforms and Regional Technologyride-hailing, Gulf mobility, Pakistan mobility, driver networks, local payments and regional platform operations | 73.2 |
| 70 | Ronaldo MouchawarRonaldo Mouchawar remained an influential West Asian digital-commerce leader in 2018 as Souq.com continued to integrate regional e-commerce, logistics and consumer trust. | Co-founder, Souq.com | United Arab Emirates / SyriaWest Asia / Global | E-Commerce and Digital Retaile-commerce, online retail, marketplace systems, regional logistics and Arab consumer internet | 72.8 |
| 71 | Lubna OlayanLubna Olayan remained one of the Gulf's most respected business leaders in 2018, representing private-enterprise governance, financial leadership and women's participation in senior economic roles. | Business Leader, Olayan Group | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia / Global | Private Enterprise, Finance and Women in Leadershipfamily enterprise, finance, board leadership, women in business, Gulf private capital and corporate governance | 72.4 |
| 72 | Sarah Al SuhaimiSarah Al Suhaimi remained a notable financial-market leader in 2018 as Saudi capital markets moved toward greater international visibility and institutional reform. | Chair, Saudi Stock Exchange | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia | Capital Markets and Financial Reformcapital markets, exchange governance, financial inclusion, institutional investors and Saudi market modernization | 72 |
| 73 | Sheikha Moza bint NasserSheikha Moza remained one of West Asia's most influential social-development leaders in 2018, advancing education, youth opportunity and global philanthropic initiatives. | Founder and Chair, Education and Social Development Initiatives | QatarWest Asia / Global | Education, Social Development and Global Philanthropyeducation, youth development, social innovation, philanthropy, women's leadership and Qatar global influence | 71.6 |
| 74 | Reem Al HashimyReem Al Hashimy remained a prominent UAE public leader in 2018, shaping international cooperation, global-event preparation and the country's outward-facing diplomacy. | Minister of State for International Cooperation | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Diplomacy, Global Events and International Cooperationinternational cooperation, diplomacy, global events, public-sector execution and UAE soft power | 71.3 |
| 75 | Tasuku HonjoTasuku Honjo became one of Asia's defining scientific leaders in 2018 as his cancer immunotherapy work received the year's highest-profile global medical recognition. | Immunologist and Professor | JapanEast Asia / Global | Science, Medicine and Cancer Immunotherapyimmunology, cancer therapy, biomedical research, scientific discovery and Japanese medical science | 70.9 |
| 76 | Shinya YamanakaShinya Yamanaka remained a central Asian scientific leader in 2018, advancing the credibility and promise of regenerative medicine and induced pluripotent stem cell research. | Physician-Scientist and Stem Cell Research Leader | JapanEast Asia / Global | Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Sciencestem cells, regenerative medicine, biomedical research, ethics, translational science and Japanese research leadership | 70.5 |
| 77 | Malala YousafzaiMalala Yousafzai remained one of Asia's most influential social-impact leaders in 2018, using global visibility to advance girls' education, youth voice and access to schooling. | Education Advocate | PakistanSouth Asia / Global | Girls' Education and Social Impactgirls' education, youth advocacy, social impact, Pakistan, global citizenship and education access | 70.1 |
| 78 | Muhammad YunusMuhammad Yunus remained one of Asia's most influential social-enterprise leaders in 2018, continuing to advocate microfinance, social business and poverty-focused entrepreneurship. | Founder, Grameen Bank; Social Business Leader | BangladeshSouth Asia / Global | Social Business, Microfinance and Poverty Reductionmicrofinance, social business, poverty reduction, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and Bangladesh social innovation | 69.7 |
| 79 | Ela BhattEla Bhatt remained a foundational leader for women's economic empowerment in 2018, with her work continuing to influence informal labor rights, self-organization and inclusive finance. | Founder, Self-Employed Women's Association | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Labor Rights, Women's Economic Empowerment and Social Innovationwomen's work, informal labor, cooperatives, financial inclusion, social organizing and Indian civil society | 69.4 |
| 80 | Sonam WangchukSonam Wangchuk remained a prominent Indian social innovator in 2018, advancing education reform, sustainable design and climate-conscious Himalayan development. | Education Innovator and Environmental Entrepreneur | IndiaSouth Asia | Education, Sustainable Design and Himalayan Innovationeducation reform, sustainable architecture, environmental innovation, Himalayan communities and youth entrepreneurship | 69 |
| 81 | Gita GopinathGita Gopinath became one of the most visible Asian-origin economic thinkers in 2018, bringing academic authority and global policy relevance to macroeconomic leadership. | Economist and Global Policy Leader | India / United StatesSouth Asia / Global | Economics, Research and International Financial Policymacroeconomics, international finance, research leadership, global economic policy and Asian intellectual representation | 68.6 |
| 82 | Bang Si-hyukBang Si-hyuk became one of Asia's most influential cultural business leaders in 2018 as BTS carried Korean pop culture into global youth markets. | Founder and Producer, Big Hit Entertainment | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Music, Entertainment Strategy and Cultural PlatformsK-pop, music production, fandom platforms, youth culture, entertainment business and Korean soft power | 68.2 |
| 83 | Kim Nam-joon (RM)RM became a globally visible Asian youth-culture leader in 2018, using music, language and public speech to articulate self-acceptance and youth confidence. | Leader, BTS | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Music, Youth Culture and Global Public VoiceK-pop, youth culture, global fandom, public voice, Korean soft power and creative leadership | 67.8 |
| 84 | Naomi OsakaNaomi Osaka became one of Asia's defining sports figures in 2018 through her Grand Slam breakthrough, poise under pressure and global representation of Japanese tennis. | Professional Tennis Player | JapanEast Asia / Global | Sports, Identity and Global Representationtennis, Japanese sports, multicultural identity, global youth audiences and women in sport | 67.5 |
| 85 | Yuzuru HanyuYuzuru Hanyu became one of Asia's most celebrated athletes in 2018 by defending his Olympic figure-skating title with exceptional technical and artistic authority. | Olympic Figure Skater | JapanEast Asia / Global | Sports, Performance Art and National Inspirationfigure skating, Japanese sports, performance artistry, national inspiration and global athletic fandom | 67.1 |
| 86 | Son Heung-minSon Heung-min strengthened his status in 2018 as Asia's most globally visible footballer, carrying elite club performance and national-team leadership into international attention. | Professional Footballer | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Sports, Football and Asian Representationfootball, Korean sports, Asian representation, club competition, national team leadership and global fandom | 66.7 |
| 87 | Virat KohliVirat Kohli remained one of Asia's most influential sports leaders in 2018, combining elite batting, fitness culture, competitive intensity and Indian cricket captaincy. | Captain, Indian Men's Cricket Team | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Sports, Cricket and National Leadershipcricket, Indian sports, athletic professionalism, brand influence, youth aspiration and national team leadership | 66.3 |
| 88 | Mary KomMary Kom remained one of Asia's most respected athletes in 2018, reinforcing her legacy through championship performance, resilience and visibility for women in combat sports. | Boxer and Sports Leader | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Sports, Women's Leadership and Athletic Resilienceboxing, women's sport, Indian athletics, resilience, Northeast India representation and youth inspiration | 65.9 |
| 89 | Hima DasHima Das became one of India's breakout athletic figures in 2018, giving Indian track and field a powerful youth-leadership moment. | Sprinter | IndiaSouth Asia | Sports, Youth Achievement and National Inspirationtrack and field, youth sports, Indian athletics, regional representation and public inspiration | 65.6 |
| 90 | Deepika PadukoneDeepika Padukone remained one of Asia's most visible cultural figures in 2018, combining major cinema presence with mental-health advocacy and global brand visibility. | Actor, Producer and Public Figure | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Cinema, Mental Health Advocacy and Cultural InfluenceIndian cinema, mental health, women's leadership, fashion, global media and cultural representation | 65.2 |
| 91 | Priyanka ChopraPriyanka Chopra remained a global Asian cultural leader in 2018, linking Indian cinema, international television, entrepreneurship and cross-border representation. | Actor, Producer and Global Media Figure | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Cinema, Television, Entrepreneurship and Global Representationglobal entertainment, Indian cinema, television, entrepreneurship, diaspora identity and women in media | 64.8 |
| 92 | Balkrishna DoshiBalkrishna Doshi became one of Asia's defining architecture figures in 2018 as his human-centered modernism received the field's highest global recognition. | Architect and Educator | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Architecture, Urban Design and Human-Centered Modernismarchitecture, housing, urbanism, education, Indian modernism and socially responsive design | 64.4 |
| 93 | Kengo KumaKengo Kuma remained one of Asia's most influential architects in 2018, known for material sensitivity, public-space design and a distinctly Japanese architectural voice. | Architect | JapanEast Asia / Global | Architecture, Public Space and Material Innovationarchitecture, timber design, public space, Japanese aesthetics, urban identity and cultural infrastructure | 64 |
| 94 | Hirokazu Kore-edaHirokazu Kore-eda became one of Asia's most celebrated filmmakers in 2018, with work that deepened global appreciation for Japanese family drama and social observation. | Film Director | JapanEast Asia / Global | Cinema, Storytelling and Social ObservationJapanese cinema, family narratives, social realism, global film audiences and cultural diplomacy | 63.7 |
| 95 | Nadine LabakiNadine Labaki became a major West Asian cultural voice in 2018 through cinema that brought child vulnerability, poverty and social dignity into global conversation. | Film Director and Actor | LebanonWest Asia / Global | Cinema, Social Storytelling and Humanitarian ImaginationLebanese cinema, social storytelling, child welfare, women filmmakers and West Asian cultural representation | 63.3 |
| 96 | Devi ShettyDevi Shetty remained one of Asia's most influential healthcare leaders in 2018, advocating affordable cardiac care, scalable hospital systems and cost-conscious medical innovation. | Cardiac Surgeon and Founder, Narayana Health | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Healthcare Delivery, Affordable Medicine and Hospital Innovationaffordable healthcare, cardiac surgery, hospital systems, health insurance innovation and Indian medical access | 62.9 |
| 97 | Soumya SwaminathanSoumya Swaminathan remained a prominent Asian public-health leader in 2018, bringing scientific training and health-policy experience into global health administration. | Global Health Leader | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Public Health, Research and Medical Policypublic health, medical research, disease control, health policy, maternal and child health and scientific administration | 62.5 |
| 98 | Manny PacquiaoManny Pacquiao remained one of Southeast Asia's most globally recognized figures in 2018, combining sporting fame, public service and Filipino cultural identity. | Boxer and Public Figure | PhilippinesSoutheast Asia / Global | Sports, Public Service and Filipino Global Identityboxing, public service, Filipino diaspora, sports entertainment and national representation | 62.1 |
| 99 | Tony FernandesTony Fernandes remained one of Southeast Asia's most visible business leaders in 2018, linking low-cost aviation, travel access, consumer branding and digital-service ambition. | Group CEO, AirAsia | MalaysiaSoutheast Asia / Global | Aviation, Travel Platforms and Entrepreneurial Consumer Serviceslow-cost aviation, travel access, Southeast Asian consumers, tourism, digital travel services and entrepreneurial branding | 61.8 |
| 100 | Hideo KojimaHideo Kojima remained one of Asia's most influential game creators in 2018, shaping global expectations for narrative game design, cinematic production and creative authorship. | Game Creator | JapanEast Asia / Global | Interactive Entertainment, Game Design and Creative Technologyvideo games, narrative design, interactive media, creative technology, Japanese game culture and global fan communities | 61.4 |
The edition is an InfluenceAsia editorial and research assessment of leadership consequence during the 2018 annual window.
InfluenceAsia formed a 2018 leadership universe across public leadership, business, technology, investment, science, social impact, culture and sport, emphasizing individuals whose influence materially shaped Asia during the annual window.
The edition excludes Chinese political officeholders and party-state figures. It includes Chinese business, technology, investment, scientific, cultural and social-impact leaders where influence is non-political and independently assessable.
Each leader was assessed across seven weighted dimensions: 2018 leadership contribution, scale of influence, strategic originality, Asia relevance, execution power, cross-border resonance and leadership durability.
The final list balances public governance, entrepreneurship, finance, technology platforms, manufacturing, science, healthcare, social innovation, culture, architecture, sports and creative industries.
Entries are written from a 2018 publication perspective, using formal leader-level language suitable for direct editorial presentation.
Copyright 2018 InfluenceAsia. All rights reserved. The ranking structure, editorial wording, scoring presentation, research dimensions and leader profiles are prepared as an InfluenceAsia independent editorial work.
Inclusion in InfluenceAsia 100: Asia's Most Influential Leaders 2018 does not imply sponsorship, endorsement, partnership, nomination, payment, approval or participation by any listed individual, company, institution or affiliated organization.
The ranking is an editorial and research product. It is not a political endorsement, investment advice, legal opinion, professional certification, due-diligence report or statement of personal approval.