page_title: Shikata ga nai
hierarchical_section_title: Shikata ga nai
caption_attribution_description: An inscription carved in marble in Japantown, San Jose, CA, USA. The inscription reads "Shikata Ga Nai / It cannot be helped"
context_page_description: Shikata ga nai is a Japanese phrase and cultural concept. The phrase means "it cannot be helped" or "nothing can be done about it". Shikata ga nai implies a kind of hard work which is defined by Japanese culture.
  If something happens which is beyond someone's ability to control or affect, a conventional Japanese reaction is to say "shikata ga nai". With this phrase, someone recognizes that a problem exists and then gets on with doing what can be done.
context_section_description: Shikata ga nai (仕方がない) is a Japanese phrase and cultural concept. The phrase means "it cannot be helped" or "nothing can be done about it". Shikata ga nai implies a kind of hard work which is defined by Japanese culture.
  If something happens which is beyond someone's ability to control or affect, a conventional Japanese reaction is to say "shikata ga nai". With this phrase, someone recognizes that a problem exists and then gets on with doing what can be done.
caption: Shikata Ga Nai carved as part of a public monument in Japantown at San Jose, California
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