をはじめ（として）Starting with; including
をはじめ introduces a prominent member as the first example of a broader group. It often corresponds to “starting with” or “including.”
Choose a leading example
The noun before the construction is not merely one random item in a list. It is normally a recognizable leader, a well-known member, or an especially relevant example. The rest of the sentence must then extend the statement to a wider group that includes it.
The three main forms
Notice how each sentence names both a representative and the wider group.
京都をはじめ、関西の各地で伝統工芸の展示会が開かれる。
Starting with Kyoto, traditional craft exhibitions will be held in locations throughout the Kansai region.
AnalyzeKyoto is presented as a prominent representative of the wider Kansai region.
学長をはじめとして、多くの教職員が式典に出席した。
Starting with the university president, many faculty and staff members attended the ceremony.
Analyze日本をはじめとするアジア諸国で、この製品の販売が始まった。
Sales of this product have begun in Asian countries including Japan.
AnalyzeHere the following noun directly names the wider group: Asian countries.
Make the expansion visible
After the representative, give a plural expression, a broader category, or a statement whose scope clearly extends beyond that first item. If the sentence only describes the first noun, the intended meaning is incomplete.
One leading example or several category examples?
をはじめ starts with one salient representative and expands outward to a broader set. By contrast, といった normally gathers one or more examples and places them before a noun that names their category; it does not present the first example as the leading member.
More examples
市立図書館をはじめ、市内の公共施設が避難所として開放された。
Starting with the municipal library, public facilities throughout the city were opened as evacuation shelters.
Analyze新型モデルをはじめとして、同社の電気自動車は海外でも高い評価を得ている。
The company's electric vehicles, beginning with its newest model, are highly regarded overseas as well.
Analyze東京をはじめとする主要都市では、再開発が急速に進んでいる。
Redevelopment is progressing rapidly in major cities including Tokyo.
Analyze監督をはじめ、選手やスタッフ全員が地域の清掃活動に参加した。
Starting with the coach, all the players and staff took part in the community cleanup.
Analyze教育問題をはじめとして、幅広い社会問題について意見が交わされた。
Views were exchanged on a wide range of social issues, beginning with education.
Analyzeこの博物館には、恐竜の化石をはじめとする貴重な標本が展示されている。
This museum displays valuable specimens, including dinosaur fossils.
Analyze