Don't bring translated things into english for simple use.
even though '筆頭' is chinese charactor, The meaning is also same in japanese lang.
https://kotobank.jp/word/筆頭人-366599
https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/筆頭_(ひっとう)/
https://kotobank.jp/word/筆頭-610964
https://www.weblio.jp/content/筆頭
nowhere said lead or leader.
even though '筆頭' is chinese charactor, The meaning is also same in japanese lang.
https://kotobank.jp/word/筆頭人-366599
https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/筆頭_(ひっとう)/
https://kotobank.jp/word/筆頭-610964
https://www.weblio.jp/content/筆頭
nowhere said lead or leader.