は別として【はべつとして】

The grammar pattern は別として means "aside from," "apart from," or "setting aside." It is used to temporarily exclude or set aside one thing in order to focus on or make a statement about something else.

Setting aside a topic

When attached to a noun, は別として indicates that the speaker wants to put that topic aside and talk about everything else, or make a judgment without considering that particular factor.

This usage is similar to English "leaving X aside" or "apart from X."

"Whether or not" – with questions or alternatives

は別として can also follow a question clause or paired alternatives (e.g., 〜～かどうか) to mean "regardless of whether or not" – the speaker sets aside that question and focuses on another point.

Related forms

• は別にして – nearly identical in meaning and usage; slightly more conversational.
• はさておき – similar meaning ("setting aside"), but more literary/formal.
• はともかく – "leaving aside" with a nuance of "regardless"; often implies the set-aside item is less important.

Nuance

は別として does not necessarily dismiss the set-aside topic as unimportant. Rather, it acknowledges it but chooses to focus on something else for the moment. It is used in both spoken and written Japanese at a neutral to slightly formal register.