'Japan-style' originates from Modern English as a compound of the noun 'Japan' and the noun 'style'. 'Japan' entered European languages via early modern Portuguese/Italian from Asian sources, and 'style' comes from Latin 'stilus' (via Old French).

'Japan' came into English from forms such as Medieval Latin 'Iapan' and Italian/Portuguese 'Giappone'/'Japão', ultimately reflecting Asian autonyms like Japanese 'Nihon/Nippon'; 'style' evolved from Latin 'stilus' through Old French 'estile' into Middle English 'stile'/'style'. These elements were later combined in Modern English to form compound descriptors like 'Japan-style'.

Initially the components referred separately to the place ('Japan') and to a manner or pattern ('style'); when combined as 'Japan-style' the meaning has been a straightforward compound: 'in the style of Japan'.