1The act of killing oneself; suicide (often used in a formal or historical context, sometimes implying use of a weapon).
彼は責任を取って自害したと伝えられている。
It is reported that he took responsibility and killed himself.
古い文学作品には武士が主君のために自害する場面が出てくることがある。
In old literary works you sometimes find scenes where a samurai kills himself for his lord.
警察は当初、死因が自害かどうかを慎重に調べた。
The police initially investigated carefully whether the cause of death was suicide.