expression, noun
self-protection; self-preservation; looking out for oneself
Often carries a negative nuance of prioritizing one's own safety or interests over others, similar to 'covering one's own back'.
彼の行動は自己保身のためだった。
His actions were for self-preservation.
政治家は自己保身に走りがちだ。
Politicians tend to prioritize their own interests.
Compound of 自己 (self) and 保身 (protecting oneself). 保身 is a Sino-Japanese word from 保 (protect) and 身 (body/self).