na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
according to one's means; appropriate to one's position; reasonable share
Used for contributions, responsibilities, or burdens that are fair and proportionate to one's ability, status, or resources. Often appears in formal or business contexts.
応分の負担をお願いします。
We ask you to bear a fair share of the burden.
各社が応分の協力をする必要がある。
Each company needs to cooperate according to its capacity.
Compound of 応 (おう, 'respond' or 'correspond') and 分 (ぶん, 'portion' or 'share'), literally meaning 'corresponding share'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of a fair or proportionate share.