I was having a discussion with a Japanese friend and she said that the word 日本茶 ''means'' green tea.
I have put the word ''means'' in brackets for emphasis.
I replied that surely 日本茶 means Japanese tea and 緑茶 means green tea. I don't know a lot about Japanese teas but a quick Google shows that most teas in Japan are green but there are some non-green teas.
So my understanding is this: 日本茶 means Japanese tea but because most teas in Japan are green it implies green tea.
I tried to explain this to her but she was having none of it. 日本茶 absolutely ''means'' green tea.
I didn't want to push the conversation any further so I let it go.
My understanding is this, please tell me if I am wrong.
日本茶 literally means Japanese tea.
緑茶 means green tea.
Most tea in Japan is green so saying 日本茶 to a Japanese person implies green tea.
But 日本茶 does not ''mean'' green tea.