noun
emergency; contingency; crisis
Refers to a state of emergency, especially in political, military, or disaster contexts. Often used in formal or news settings.
有事の際には、このマニュアルに従って行動してください。
In case of an emergency, please follow this manual.
政府は有事に備えて対策
The government is preparing measures for contingencies.
Compound of 有 (existence) and 事 (matter, affair), literally 'when there is an incident'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used in formal and military contexts to denote a state of emergency.