I think the JBP can get much smallr needles with the right pruning & fertilizer/water management.
Well, mixed feelings about that.
I understand perfectly the technical aspect of watering less and fertilizing nothing to reduce growth and needle size.
But I think there are other ways, such as full sun and pinching needles, that can be less agressive to the tree. I'll think about it though.
If I look at the canopy, it looks like in the top there are 3 branches very near. If you would take out the middle one, you might have a much more compact tree already?
I have just done that, and immediately the bonsai looks much better.
Thanks for pointing it out for me, Leatherback.
Result below: