Shigen

Shigen (資源) is a Japanese noun meaning resources or sources. It refers to the stock of assets that can be used to achieve goals, including natural resources, human resources, financial resources, and other assets.

Etymology: The term combines the kanji 資 (resources, capital) and 源 (source). It is read shigen in its Sino-Japanese on-yomi.

Usage: In economics and policy, 自然資源 denotes natural resources; 再生可能資源 denotes renewable resources; エネルギー資源 denotes energy resources. In management contexts, 人的資源 or 人材 refers to human resources; 文化資源 can denote cultural resources. The concept also appears in environmental science, development studies, and corporate governance to discuss how resources are sourced, allocated, and sustained.

Distinctions: 資源 denotes stock or assets, often in a broad, abstract sense. By contrast, 資材 refers to tangible materials and supplies used in production. Japanese often uses 文化資源 or 自然資源 to specify the kind of resource.

See also: 自然資源; エネルギー資源; 人的資源; 資源管理; 資源配分; 文化資源.