noun
individualism
A social or philosophical stance that values individual rights, freedom, and self-reliance over collective control. Often contrasted with 集団主義 (collectivism).
アメリカは個人主義の強い国だと言われる。
America is said to be a country with strong individualism.
個人主義と集団主義のバランスが大切だ
A balance between individualism and collectivism is important.
noun
A less common, often negative usage where 個人主義 is used loosely to mean selfishness or putting one's own interests first. More precise terms are 利己主義 or 自己中心. Cross-referenced with 利己主義.
See also: 利己主義
彼の行動は個人主義というより利己主義だ。
His behavior is more like egoism than individualism.
Compound of 個人 (individual) + 主義 (principle, -ism). A Meiji-era calque from Western political philosophy.