noun
outsiders; others; bystanders; onlookers; third person
Refers to people who are not directly involved in a situation, often contrasted with oneself or one's group. Common in expressions like はたから見る (looking from the outside) or はたの者 (an outsider).
はたから見ると、それは簡単そうに見える。
From the outside, it looks easy.
彼ははたの意見をまったく聞かない。
He never listens to other people's opinions.
The origin is uncertain, but it may be related to the word 端 (はた) meaning 'edge' or 'side', suggesting people on the periphery.