自首

• Reading: じしゅ
• Romaji: jishu
• Kanji breakdown: 自 (ji) — self; 首 (shu) — head, principal, to present oneself
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.ɕɯ/

Meaning

Turning oneself in; voluntary surrender to authorities. When a suspect voluntarily reports their own crime to the police.

A noun and suru-verb (自首する) describing the act of a criminal or suspect voluntarily going to law enforcement to confess or surrender. Under Japanese criminal law, self-reporting (自首) before an offence is discovered may reduce the severity of punishment. It reflects both legal strategy and, in many narrative contexts, a moral reckoning.

Examples

1. 事件発覚を恐れた男は翌朝警察署に自首した。 Fearing that the crime would be discovered, the man turned himself in at the police station the next morning.
2. 弁護士の助言に従い、被疑者は自首することを決意した。 Following his lawyer's advice, the suspect decided to turn himself in.
3. 自首したことが情状酌量の余地として考慮された。 The fact that he turned himself in was taken into consideration as a mitigating circumstance.

Usage Guide

Context: criminal law, journalism, courts, crime narrative

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From 自 (ji) meaning 'oneself' and 首 (shu) meaning 'head' (by extension, the leader or principal person). The compound denotes presenting oneself as the responsible party.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: All classes