Highlights:
- TIME released its “100 Most Influential People of 2026” featuring key Asian leaders
- Xi Jinping made his 14th appearance, the highest on this year’s list
- Balendra Shah became Nepal’s youngest prime minister after a major election win
- Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister in October
- Tarique Rahman returned from exile and led BNP to a major election victory
TIME magazine has released its “100 Most Influential People of 2026,” featuring several prominent Asian leaders. Among them are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Japan’s first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi, Nepal’s Balendra Shah, and Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman.
Balendra Shah, 35, is now the youngest prime minister of Nepal. He took office on March 27 after his party won a major victory in national elections earlier in the month. These elections followed a youth-led uprising in September that removed the previous government. Shah, who was once a rapper, became a key voice during the protests that led to political change in the country of 30 million people.
Xi Jinping was the most frequently featured individual on the TIME100 list this year. His inclusion in 2026 marks his 14th appearance, the highest number for any person on this year’s list. This milestone reflects his continued global influence as China plays a central role in international politics, economics, and geopolitics. His repeated presence on the list highlights his long-term impact on global affairs over more than a decade.
Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan’s first woman prime minister in October. She was born in Nara prefecture and briefly worked as a television host early in her career. During the 1980s, she was influenced by trade tensions between the United States and Japan. To better understand American views, she worked in the office of US Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder. This experience shaped her belief that Japan needed to strengthen its position internationally.
Tarique Rahman, born on November 20, 1965, in Dhaka, is the son of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. In 2008, he left Bangladesh after being detained during an anti-corruption crackdown under a military-backed government. He remained in exile for years before returning to Bangladesh in December 2024, where he received a strong public welcome. Rahman led the BNP and its alliance to win more than 200 seats in the country’s 13th national election.
TIME’s 2026 list reflects the growing importance of Asian leaders on the global stage. Their inclusion highlights political shifts and the increasing role of the region in shaping international developments.
