(じえい)

じえい
noun / suru-verb
self-defense
1. self-defense
The act of protecting oneself from attack or danger.
I'm learning martial arts for self-defense.
I carry a safety buzzer as a self-defense measure.

自衛(じえい) means self-defense or self-protection.

Common compounds:

  • 自衛隊(じえいたい) (Self-Defense Forces - Japan's military)
  • 自衛(じえい)手段(しゅだん) (self-defense measures)
  • 自衛(じえい)(けん) (right of self-defense)
  • 正当(せいとう)防衛(ぼうえい) (legitimate self-defense - legal term)

Japan's Self-Defense Forces:

  • 陸上(りくじょう)自衛隊(じえいたい) (Ground Self-Defense Force)
  • 海上(かいじょう)自衛隊(じえいたい) (Maritime Self-Defense Force)
  • 航空(こうくう)自衛隊(じえいたい) (Air Self-Defense Force)

Related: 防衛(ぼうえい) (defense - often used for national defense)