pronoun
this person; this gentleman; this lady
Polite pronoun used to refer to a third person, similar to この人 but more respectful. Often used when the speaker does not know the person's name.
この方はどなたですか。
Who is this person?
この方が新しい部長です。
This gentleman is the new department head.
adverb, noun
since; for the past ...
Used after a time expression to mean 'since' or 'for the past (period)'. Often follows a noun indicating a point in time or a duration. Sense 2 is a specific instance of sense 1, emphasizing a continuous period up to now.
生まれてこの方、海外に行ったことがない。
I have never been abroad since I was born.
ここ十年この方、ずっとこの町に住んでいます。
I have been living in this town for the past ten years.
Compound of この (this) and 方 (person/direction). The temporal use likely developed from the spatial metaphor of 'from this direction/point'.