Japan’s tourism industry is facing a significant downturns as a decades-old manga prediction about a catastrophic earthquake on July 5, 2025, gains traction, particularly among travelers from Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The graphic novel in question, The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki, was first published in 1999. It gained notoriety for seemingly predicting the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. A 2021 reissue included a new prediction of another major disaster on July 5, 2025, which has fueled widespread speculation and concern on social media platforms.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such predictions, the impact on tourism is tangible. Bloomberg Intelligence reports that flight bookings from Hong Kong to Japan have dropped by 50% year-on-year, with bookings for late June and early July plummeting by as much as 83%. Airlines like Greater Bay Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines have reduced services to Japan in response to the decreased demand.
The Japanese government and tourism officials are actively working to dispel the rumors. Yoshihiro Murai, governor of Miyagi Prefecture—one of the areas hardest hit by the 2011 disaster—has urged travelers not to be swayed by unfounded claims. The Japanese Cabinet Office also stated on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that it is scientifically impossible to predict the specific time and location of an earthquake.
Adding to the confusion, the Chinese embassy in Tokyo issued a notice advising citizens to take precautions against natural disasters, which some interpreted as validation of the manga’s prediction. This advisory, coupled with the viral spread of the manga’s content—over 1,400 related videos on YouTube have amassed more than 100 million views—has amplified public anxiety.
Experts emphasize that while Japan is seismically active, precise earthquake predictions remain beyond current scientific capabilities. Ryo Tatsuki herself has advised readers to consult experts and not take her predictions literally, emphasizing awareness over alarm.
Despite the current downturn, Japan experienced a tourism boom post-pandemic, with a record 3.9 million visitors in April. Officials hope that continued efforts to provide accurate information and reassurance will help stabilize the tourism sector in the coming months.
