noun
one's own problem; personal matter
Colloquial term for something that concerns oneself directly, often contrasted with 他人事 (たにんごと, 'other people's business'). Used when emphasizing personal involvement or responsibility.
Antonyms: 他人事
環境問題を自分事として考えよう。
Let's think of environmental issues as our own problem.
彼はいつも他人事
He always treats things as other people's business and never takes them personally.
Means 'other people's affair' or 'something that doesn't concern oneself'; the direct opposite of 自分事.
Compound of 自分 (じぶん, 'oneself') and 事 (こと, 'matter, thing'), with rendaku voicing of こと to ごと. The spelling 自分事 is a relatively modern coinage reflecting the colloquial usage.