JLPT N1 Grammar

〜のいかんを問わず (no ikan o towazu)

〜のいかんを問わず (no ikan o towazu)

"regardless of; irrespective of; no matter what the... is"

This grammar point is used to state that something applies or will be done regardless of the circumstances, reasons, or results of a particular factor. It is often used in situations where a rule, policy, or outcome is absolute and does not allow for exceptions based on individual conditions.

  • Formality: Highly Formal / Literary. You will almost exclusively see this in official business contracts, public notices, legal documents, and formal corporate policies.
  • Context: Recruitment (regardless of experience), customer service (regardless of reason), and project management (regardless of the outcome).
  • Nuance: It carries an authoritative and firm tone. It signals that the "factor" mentioned (like age, reason, or result) will not influence the decision or rule being stated.

Format

  • Noun + の + いかんを問わず
    理由のいかんを問わず、返金は受け付けておりません。 Regardless of the reason, we do not accept refunds.

Note: Sometimes the "の" is omitted with certain nouns like 理由 or 採用.

Example sentences

  • 、。
    Regardless of the reason, we do not accept any returns after the goods have been delivered.
  • 、。
    Our policy is to hire talented personnel regardless of their academic background or nationality.
  • 、。
    Regardless of the outcome, we are required to do our absolute best.
  • 、。
    Irrespective of business performance, a special allowance was paid out across the board.
  • 、。
    Regardless of the location, work is possible as long as there is an internet environment.

Similar Grammar

〜にかかわらず (ni kakawarazu)

“regardless of / whether or not”
晴雨にかかわらず、イベントは開催します。 The event will be held regardless of whether it rains or shines.

Difference:

  • Very similar, but 〜のいかんを問わず is much more formal and often used in legalistic or stiff corporate contexts.
  • 〜にかかわらず is more common in general formal speech.

〜を問わず (o towazu)

“regardless of...”
このボランティアは経験を問わず、誰でも参加できる。 Anyone can participate in this volunteer work, regardless of experience.

Difference:

  • This is the broader version. 〜のいかんを問わず is essentially a more specialized, formal version of this that specifically highlights the "degree," "state," or "how things turn out."

〜いかんだ (ikan da)

“depends on...”
合格できるかどうかは、今後の努力いかんだ。 Whether or not you can pass depends on your future efforts.

Difference:

  • This is the affirmative version.
  • It means the result depends on the factor (e.g., "Success depends on your effort"). 〜いかんを問わず is the opposite—the factor doesn't matter.

〜によらず (ni yorazu)

“regardless of / without relying on”
この塾では学年によらず、実力でクラスを分ける。 In this cram school, classes are divided by ability regardless of school year.

Difference:

  • Focuses on the method or means.
  • It suggests that the outcome is achieved without depending on a specific method or quality.

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. されるの（　　　）、のがする。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. （　　　）、されたはいたしません。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. の（　　　）、の者をするのがのだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. や（　　　）、なをから。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. の（　　　）、のは。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. （　　　）、のはで。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. の（　　　）、なが付けられている。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. の（　　　）、のをすることはのだ。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. の（　　　）、こちらのもしなければならない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. の（　　　）、をしていただけるだけで。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. のについては、（　　　）、なを。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. の（　　　）、がされるもできない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. の（　　　）、はに。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. の（　　　）、のにはならない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. の（　　　）、はし。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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