以上は | Now That and Since in Japanese

A Fact That Obliges You

以上(いじょう)は sets up a fact and then draws the duty that follows from it. Given this, naturally that.

引(ひ)き受(う)けた**以上(いじょう)は**、最後(さいご)までやります。(Now that I've taken it on, I'll see it through.)

The second half is almost always a resolution, an obligation or a judgement — not a plain fact. That is the pattern's whole character.

以上(いじょう)は expects one of these in the second clause:

A neutral consequence sounds wrong here. Use から or ので for those.

からには is close to interchangeable with 以上(いじょう)は; 上(うえ)で is a different word despite sharing the kanji:

Pattern	Meaning
決(き)めた以上(いじょう)は	now that I've decided (so I must…)
決(き)めたからには	same, slightly more spoken
決(き)めた上(うえ)で	after deciding (sequence, not obligation)

Nouns do not attach directly — they need である:

学生(がくせい)である以上(いじょう)、勉強(べんきょう)が本分(ほんぶん)だ。(As long as you're a student, studying is your duty.)

The は is optional throughout and often dropped in writing.

Example Sentences

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Speed

引(ひ)き受(う)けた以上(いじょう)は、最後(さいご)までやります。

Now that I've taken it on, I'll see it through to the end.

約束(やくそく)した以上(いじょう)、守(まも)らなければならない。

Since I made a promise, I have to keep it.

学生(がくせい)である以上(いじょう)、勉強(べんきょう)が本分(ほんぶん)だ。

As long as you are a student, study is your duty.

参加(さんか)する以上(いじょう)は、しっかり準備(じゅんび)すべきだ。

If you're going to take part, you should prepare properly.

知(し)ってしまった以上(いじょう)、報告(ほうこく)しないわけにはいかない。

Now that I know, I can't not report it.

責任者(せきにんしゃ)である以上(いじょう)、結果(けっか)に責任(せきにん)を持(も)つ。

As the person in charge, I take responsibility for the outcome.

挑戦(ちょうせん)する以上(いじょう)は本気(ほんき)でやりたい。

If I'm going to attempt it, I want to do it seriously.

契約(けいやく)した以上(いじょう)、条件(じょうけん)は変(か)えられません。

Now that the contract is signed, the terms can't be changed.