noun
Refers to an organized group formed for a common purpose, often with a formal or legal character. Common in contexts such as freedom of association (結社の自由).
憲法は結社の自由を保障している。
The constitution guarantees freedom of association.
彼は新しい学術結社を設立した。
He established a new academic society.
Compound of 結 (けつ, 'to tie, bind') and 社 (しゃ, 'company, society'), literally meaning 'bound society'. The term has been used since the Meiji era to translate Western concepts of association and freedom of assembly.