noun
mutual aid; cooperation; mutual benefit
Refers to people helping each other, often in organized or community contexts. Common in phrases like 互助精神 (spirit of mutual aid) and 互助会 (mutual aid association).
地域の互助の仕組みが高齢者を支えている。
The community's mutual aid system supports the elderly.
互助の精神で、困ったときはお互いさま
In the spirit of mutual aid, we help each other out when in need.
Compound of 互 (mutual) and 助 (help). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since at least the early 20th century in contexts of cooperative movements and social welfare.