にも拘(かか)わらずDespite, In spite of, Regardless, Nevertheless

にかかわらず means regardless of or whether or not, as in 年齢にかかわらず (Regardless of age). にもかかわらず means in spite of and highlights contradiction between expectation and reality, often with surprise, as in 雨にもかかわらず人が集まった (In spite of the rain, people gathered).

Both express concession but differ in tone. にもかかわらず is formal and often used in writing to highlight strong contrast or surprise, as in 雨にもかかわらず試合が行われた (The game was held despite the rain). ものの is less formal and means even though or but, as in 雨が降ったものの試合は行われた (It rained, but the game was held).

Both くせに and にもかかわらず convey contradiction between two facts, but with different nuance and tone. くせに is a casual expression with a blaming or critical tone, e.g. 知っているくせに何で教えてくれないの？ ('You know, so why won't you tell me!?'). In contrast, にもかかわらず is a more neutral and formal way to say 'in spite of (A)', e.g. 雨にもかかわらず出かけた ('We went out despite the rain.').

These expressions share the verb かかわる but have opposite functions. にかかわる describes a relation or connection, often serious, as in 命にかかわる問題 (A matter of life and death). にもかかわらず is adverbial, expressing contrast or contradiction, as in 年齢にもかかわらず (Regardless of age).

Both can mean regardless of, but are used differently. にもかかわらず expresses a surprising or unexpected result in spite of circumstances, as in 年齢にもかかわらず元気だ (In spite of his age, he is energetic). を問わず applies more broadly and neutrally, indicating that something holds true in all cases, as in 性別を問わず参加できる (Participation is open regardless of gender).

ながらも and にもかかわらず both express contradiction, but differ in nuance and usage. ながらも conveys coexisting contradictory states, e.g. '緊張しながらもわくわくしている' ('While feeling anxious, I'm also excited'). にもかかわらず means 'despite' and is used when something occurs against expectations, e.g. '雨にもかかわらず出かけた' ('He went out despite the rain').