regardless of; irrespective of
Formal expression used to indicate that something applies no matter what the preceding condition is. Often follows a noun or noun phrase with の, as in ...の如何を問わず.
See also: 如何に関わらず
Anyone can apply, regardless of age.
Lateness will not be accepted, irrespective of the reason.
Synonymous and more common in modern formal writing. 如何を問わず is slightly more literary.
Standard kanji spelling for this formal phrase.
Kana spelling is common in less formal writing or when the kanji 如何 is considered difficult.
Compound of 如何 (いかん, 'how; what kind') + を (object marker) + 問わず (negative continuative of 問う, 'to ask; to question'), literally 'without asking how/what'.