What does the particle at the end of なぜと申しますと mean?


I've always known that と may be used as a particle that is required for the
formation of a conditional phrase or to quote someone's speech. So, what is
the function of the last particle in the following sentence?

> なぜと申しますと




> 「なぜと[申]{もう}します **と** 」

In this case, 「と」at the end is a _**conjunctive particle**_ that serves as a
_**preface**_ to the statement that follows.

Thus, the only statement that can logically follow 「なぜと[申]{もう}します **と** 」 is
one that explains the reason for whatever is being discussed.

The 「と」 in 「なぜと」, by the way, is _**quotative**_ in case anyone is wondering.
So we have two different kinds of 「と」 used in such a short phrase.

Usually, the entire sentence will look like:

> 「なぜと[申]{もう}しますと、～～～～ **から** です。」 =
>
> "To tell you the reason, it is/was because ~~~~."

(This might sound off-topic, but in real life, saying 「なぜ **か** と申しますと」 is
definitely more common than saying 「なぜと申しますと」. That, however, makes no
difference in the function of 「と」 at the end.)




> 「なぜと[申]{もう}します **と** 」

In this case, 「と」at the end is a _**conjunctive particle**_ that serves as a
_**preface**_ to the statement that follows.

Thus, the only statement that can logically follow 「なぜと[申]{もう}します **と** 」 is
one that explains the reason for whatever is being discussed.

The 「と」 in 「なぜと」, by the way, is _**quotative**_ in case anyone is wondering.
So we have two different kinds of 「と」 used in such a short phrase.

Usually, the entire sentence will look like:

> 「なぜと[申]{もう}しますと、～～～～ **から** です。」 =
>
> "To tell you the reason, it is/was because ~~~~."

(This might sound off-topic, but in real life, saying 「なぜ **か** と申しますと」 is
definitely more common than saying 「なぜと申しますと」. That, however, makes no
difference in the function of 「と」 at the end.)

