Refers to relying on one's own efforts without depending on others. Often used in contexts like self-help efforts, self-reliance in recovery, or personal responsibility.
He started his business through self-help efforts.
Self-reliance is fundamental during disasters.
Even in a difficult situation, he never forgot the spirit of self-reliance.
The government is promoting policies that encourage residents to help themselves.
The foundation of disaster preparedness lies in the balance of self-help, mutual aid, and public assistance.
依存 means depending on someone or something else, the opposite of 自助's stance of relying on one's own efforts.
共助 means mutual aid among neighbors or a community, often set against 自助 (helping yourself) in disaster-preparedness discussions.
自助 means helping oneself through one's own effort, the opposite of 互助's reliance on mutual help from others.
自序 (also read じじょ) is a preface an author writes for their own book, unrelated in meaning to 自助's sense of self-reliance.
Compound of 自 (self) and 助 (help). The term is a straightforward Sino-Japanese word meaning 'self-help'.