1.
one's own country; home country
The country to which the speaker or subject belongs. Used in formal and written contexts when discussing national policies, international comparisons, or patriotic matters.
自国の文化を大切にする。
To value one's own country's culture.
自国の産業を守るために関税を引き上げた。
Tariffs were raised to protect domestic industry.
海外に住んでみて初めて、自国の良さに気づくことがある。
Sometimes it's only after living abroad that you realize the good things about your own country.
A compound of 自 (self) and 国 (country). Formal in register and common in news, political discourse, and academic writing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自国の利益 (one's country's interests)
- 自国の文化 (one's own culture)
- 自国民 (citizens of one's own country)
- 自国通貨 (domestic currency)
Note the homophone 時刻 (time, hour), which is a completely different word. In casual speech, 自分の国 is more natural than 自国.