The terms are more used to describe story conveince mechanisms. Both of the genres (western and Japanese RPGs) have RPG elements - leveling up, skills, etc... - but where they usually differ is the mechanism used to convey plot and story.
JRPGs are more fixed - the main character is usually fully fleshed out. There is a very specific story to be told in this case.
Western RPGs usually star an undefined main character, with a greater emphasis on player choice.
Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games tell very specific stories, with you inhabiting an established character. With western RPGs like Mass Effect or Diablo - your character is more blank slate, and the story is much more broad.
So it doesn't matter where it comes from, it's more of a styalistic approach to how you want to tell your story. As you show in the image, Dark Souls is more western in its approach - this can happen.
I could write an entire article on this, but I think you get the point. I'm hoping that we'll eventually get away from the locale based terminology and more towards descriptive terminology regarding the nomenclature in the future.
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