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Breaking boundaries

An era of change across the region

As Asia moves through 2025, stories of progress and bold leadership are setting a hopeful tone across the region. From Indonesia¡¯s in-house community breakthrough in gender leadership to Thailand¡¯s proposed reforms aimed at opening up its investment climate, these transformative moments reflect a growing appetite for change. A shift that is redefining what is possible and inspiring the next wave of leaders. Amid shifting regulations and trade dynamics, Asia¡¯s legal community is not just adapting, it is leading the way forward.

Our Cover story, Everything possible, profiles Seradesy Sumardi, the first woman elected president of the Indonesian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA) in its two-decade history. Her appointment signals a broader shift in expectations for gender representation and leadership within Indonesia¡¯s legal sector and beyond.

In an in-depth interview with Asia Business Law Journal, Sumardi shares insights from her journey from private practice to senior corporate counsel, her vision for modernising the ICCA, and her commitment to empowering women across the profession. As Indonesia¡¯s legal market continues to mature, Sumardi¡¯s presidency stands as both a beacon of change and a call to action for greater inclusivity in legal leadership.

Our Asia-specific report, titled Riding the undercurrents, examines the busy but evolving world of insurance law across Asia. While the sector remains active in areas from property and casualty to marine cargo recovery, regulatory shifts are adding new layers of complexity.

This issue¡¯s Intelligence report, titled Opportunity knocks, explores Thailand¡¯s planned reforms to its Foreign Business Act and the promise of a more open investment landscape. As investors seek clarity, legal experts stress that businesses should prepare early to navigate both the opportunities and the risks of this evolving regulatory environment.

We are also pleased to present our Investment guide titled Doing business in Thailand, featuring expert legal insights to help investors navigate the jurisdiction¡¯s evolving regulatory landscape.

Our Regional guides offer in-depth updates on critical regulatory trends shaping business strategy across Asia. From antitrust reforms strengthening enforcement in China, Japan and Taiwan, to corporate governance improvements streamlining company management frameworks in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, these insights help businesses stay ahead of compliance demands. We also chart the evolving landscape of M&A regulations in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Thailand.

Meanwhile, our regular Head to Head series in this issue compares legal developments in autonomous vehicles and joint ventures. It examines Taiwan¡¯s and Japan¡¯s evolving approaches to driverless technology regulation, from safety standards to deployment readiness. The series also analyses the hurdles foreign and local investors face when forming joint ventures in Taiwan and China, including approval processes, sector restrictions, and the need for strategic partner selection. And we unpack new developments in restructuring and insolvency laws in Singapore and Taiwan.

Our Expert briefing section covers º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø need for a stronger legal framework for natural disaster insurance, and Hong Kong¡¯s new stablecoins ordinance, designed to balance innovation with stability and cement its role as a digital asset leader.

We are also proud to present our Law Firm Listings: Philippines edition, featuring in-depth profiles of the Philippines¡¯ leading law firms and their key areas of expertise.

Following this, we celebrate and unveil the Taiwan Law Firm Awards 2025, our prestigious annual recognition of the jurisdiction¡¯s most outstanding legal talents. These awards, based on our rigorous assessments, recognise excellence, innovation and leadership in Taiwan¡¯s legal industry.

Finally, our annual Japan A-List highlights the top 100 lawyers plus 30 Legal Icons in Japan. This list is selected by the independent research team of Asia Business Law Journal, based on nominations and endorsements from domestic and international clients, as well as peers worldwide.