Reminds me of how some people used to keep calling the Zelda series an RPG simply because of the series typically using a fantasy setting (the only Zelda I'd call an RPG in some form is Zelda 2 simply due to it being the only one with a defined XP and leveling system, every other Zelda is action-adventure).

The only defining aspect of a role-playing game is about choosing how your character is developed and making nonlinear choices that affect the story, setting and other characters.

Final Fantasy is not an RPG.