> javac (or any compiler targeting the JVM) is not a real compiler according to it

I think it depends on how you interpret my "non-trivial transformation into or out of an intermediate and/or target representation". For example if javac involves IR, SSA based analysis and transformation (which I assume it does) then that would be a non-trivial transformation and I'd call it a compiler. If on the other hand it was a direct syntax-directed transformation to java byte code then I'd call it a translator not a compiler. But I'm not claiming any authority over definitions here. Words aren't my strong suit.