A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having an electrode portion and a joining member electrically connected to the electrode portion to allow an electric current to flow in the semiconductor chip through the joining member. The joining member contains a protective material that has a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, and the positive temperature coefficient of resistivity has a larger value in a temperature range higher than a threshold temperature than in a temperature range lower than the threshold temperature, the threshold temperature being a predetermined temperature lower than a breakdown temperature of the semiconductor chip. The electrode portion of the semiconductor chip may contain the protective material.