Basis, means and cause

～上は

now that ...; since ... (so one must)

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How to form it

  • Verb (た-form / dictionary form) + 上は

Register: Formal; firm

Explanation

Says that since a certain decision or situation has come about, the speaker must act in line with it.

A formal form close to からには. The second clause expresses duty, resolve or a decision.

Examples

  1. 契約した上は、約束を守らなければならない。

    けいやくしたうえは、やくそくをまもらなければならない。

    Now that we have signed the contract, we must keep our promise.

  2. 決めた上は、最後までやるしかない。

    きめたうえは、さいごまでやるしかない。

    Now that I've decided, I have no choice but to see it through.

  3. こうなった上は、覚悟を決めよう。

    こうなったうえは、かくごをきめよう。

    Now that it has come to this, let's make up our minds.

Compare with

  • ～からには: からには is similar and more common; 上は is more formal.
  • ～た上で: た上で means 'after doing'; 上は means 'now that'.

Common mistakes

  • Reading it as じょう. Here it is うえ.