second-rank province (ritsuryō system)
Historical term from the ritsuryō system; refers to a province classified as 上国, the second highest of four ranks (大国, 上国, 中国, 下国).
Under the ritsuryō system, a 上国 was a province of the second rank, below 大国.
provinces near the capital
Historical term for provinces located close to the capital (Kinai region). This usage is less common and may overlap with the ranking sense in some contexts.
上国 sometimes referred to the provinces close to the capital.
developing country
Compound of 上 (jō, 'upper') and 国 (koku, 'province'). The term originated in the ritsuryō system to classify provinces by size and importance.