Japan has experienced a record number of visitors this year, but viral rumors of an impending disaster, allegedly predicted by a manga comic book, have cast a shadow over the tourism boom. Reports indicate that some airlines have even canceled flights in response to these rumors. In April, Japan welcomed an all-time high of 3.9 million tourists, but this figure saw a decline in May.
Arrivals from Hong Kong, a city known for its superstitious beliefs, dropped by 11 percent year-on-year, according to the latest data. This decline is attributed to the widespread circulation of rumors regarding a disaster prediction from the manga The Future I Saw.
The Manga Behind the Rumors
The Future I Saw, a Japanese comic book, has gained notoriety for allegedly predicting the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan’s northeastern coast, resulting in thousands of deaths and a nuclear disaster. The first edition, published in 1999, ominously included the words, “a great disaster will happen in March 2011.”
The reprint of the manga in 2021 reignited debates, with some interpreting the latest edition as predicting a catastrophic event on July 5, 2025. Ryo Tatsuki, the artist behind the manga, has attempted to quell the speculation, stating through her publisher that she is “not a prophet.”
Social Media Amplification
The rumors gained traction on social media platforms. Akira Hasegawa, deputy manager of Village Vanguard Bookshop in Tokyo, noted that the manga went viral online. “A lot of buyers [of The Future I Saw], the customers who visit our shop, are young people, so of course, as July approached, the information about it spread on social media, mainly on TikTok,” he explained.
Joey Peng, an American tourist in Japan, shared his apprehensions after hearing the rumors. “I first heard about it [the rumors] from my wife, and then I watched some YouTube videos and did some research,” he said. His wife had advised against traveling to Japan in July, despite it being the best time for his work schedule.
Impact on Tourism
Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based travel agency EGL Tours reported a “significant impact” on tourism, with his firm’s Japan-related business halving. He noted that discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance had “prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero.”
Hong Kong resident Branden Choi, a frequent traveler to Japan, expressed hesitation about visiting the country during July and August due to the manga prediction. “If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September,” he said.
Expert Opinions on Earthquake Predictions
Japan, located within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most earthquake-prone countries globally. Recently, over 900 earthquakes, mostly small tremors, have been recorded on islands off the southern tip of Kyushu. Despite this, Robert Geller, a professor at the University of Tokyo with decades of experience in seismology, stated that even scientifically-based earthquake prediction is “impossible.”
“None of the predictions I’ve experienced in my scientific career have come close at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Greater Bay Airlines became the latest Hong Kong airline to cancel flights to Japan due to low demand. The airline announced it would indefinitely suspend its service to Tokushima in western Japan from September.
Looking Ahead
The situation highlights the power of social media in shaping public perception and behavior, even when based on speculative claims. As Japan continues to navigate the impact of these rumors on its tourism industry, the country remains a popular destination for travelers worldwide. The coming months will reveal whether the tourism sector can rebound from this unexpected challenge.
