underdeveloped country; half-civilized country
Historical term used in the late 19th to early 20th century to describe nations not yet fully modernized by Western standards. Now largely obsolete and potentially offensive; encountered mainly in historical or political texts.
In Meiji-era documents, the Western view that regarded Japan as a half-civilized country was often criticized.
発展途上国 is the modern, standard term for a developing country, replacing older and potentially derogatory labels like 半開国.
Compound of 半 (half) + 開 (open, civilized) + 国 (country). Coined in the context of 19th-century Western views on civilizational progress; the exact origin is uncertain.