OK, technically it is a JRPG in the same way that the recent Wizardry games are also JRPG's. Like you said, an RPG made in Japan.
Maybe you'd be more comfortable if I said it wasn't a 'traditional' style JRPG in the mould of Star Ocean, FF, Suiko, Dragon Quest etc? It certainly owes more to games designed by the British programmer Jullian Gollop (Rebelstar Raiders, X-Com, Laser Squad) due to it's map based design, action points, weapon system, use of terrain, shot success calculations etc.