Why are Ningyo mistaken for western mermaids?

So, I think the biggest reason is because westerners have a very egocentric view on folklore, and need to be able to either appropriate or blend their mythology with foreigners'. read more

Over time, Ningyo became adopted by the Japanese as a term for mermaid as well, and the usage spread from Japan to China, where Ningyou and the mermaid were introduced in the 1880s (along with the Japanese transliteration Marimeid). read more

Ningyo is a Japanese version of Mermaids, translating to "Human Fish" or Hangyo-jin(Half Fish Human). All this are according to ancient Japanese Folklore which states a clear distinct feature between western Mermaids and the Ningyo. read more