Viral Manga Sparks Fear of Major Earthquake in Japan
News Desk
Tokyo: A wave of anxiety triggered by viral earthquake predictions has rippled across East Asia, dampening travel plans to Japan just as the country records a historic surge in tourism. The panic, largely fuelled by a resurfaced manga prediction, psychic claims, and feng shui warnings, has prompted widespread speculation and cancellations, particularly from tourists in Hong Kong and mainland China.
At the centre of the frenzy is The Future I Saw, a 1999 comic book by Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, which gained cult status after seemingly predicting the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In its expanded 2021 edition, Tatsuki claimed a new megaquake would strike in July 2025, describing a seabed rupture between Japan and the Philippines capable of unleashing waves more powerful than those seen in 2011.
Despite Tatsuki’s repeated calls not to take her dream-based visions literally, her manga’s popularity — especially in parts of Asia — has reignited seismic fears. Social media platforms in Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, and China have been inundated with ominous posts warning against summer travel to Japan.
The viral predictions have taken a tangible toll. According to CN Yuen, managing director of Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG, Easter holiday bookings to Japan have dropped nearly 50%, with further declines anticipated in the lead-up to July. “People just say they want to hold off their trip for now,” said Yuen, noting that such concerns appear “ingrained” in travellers’ minds.
The situation has been compounded by other unverified predictions, including a failed April 26 earthquake warning by a self-proclaimed psychic and cautionary travel advice issued by Hong Kong feng shui practitioner Master Seven, who urged people to avoid visiting Japan from April onwards.
In response to mounting speculation, Japan’s Cabinet Office issued a public statement via X (formerly Twitter), affirming that no scientific method exists to predict earthquakes with precision. Seismologists echoed the sentiment, warning that unfounded rumours erode public trust and distract from meaningful disaster preparedness.
Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai, whose prefecture was devastated in the 2011 disaster, expressed concern over the tourism impact. “It is a serious issue when the spread of highly unscientific rumours on social media has an effect on tourism,” he said.
Japan lies on the seismically active Ring of Fire and is no stranger to earthquakes. Experts estimate an 80% chance of a major earthquake striking the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years — but stress that this is a long-term projection, not a specific forecast.
Tourism Boom Amid Crisis of Confidence
Despite the fearmongering, Japan’s tourism industry continues to thrive. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the country welcomed 10.5 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2025 — a new record.
This included 2.36 million visitors from mainland China, marking a 78% increase from the same period last year, and 647,600 from Hong Kong — a modest 3.9% rise. Visitors from the U.S., Canada, and Australia have also contributed significantly, with 343,000 Americans travelling to Japan in March alone.
However, individual stories reflect the growing influence of what experts are calling a “prophecy effect.” Among those reconsidering their plans is Samantha Tang, a 34-year-old yoga instructor from Hong Kong, who cancelled her August trip to Wakayama. “Everyone says so much about an earthquake coming,” she said, citing social media posts as a major influence.
Similarly, frequent traveller Oscar Chu, 36, scrapped his annual trip, worried about potential flight cancellations and infrastructure disruptions in the event of a quake.
Yet others remain unfazed. Vic Shing, who plans to visit Tokyo and Osaka in June, dismissed the panic. “Earthquake predictions have never been accurate,” he said. “Japan has encountered many massive earthquakes before. It shouldn’t be too bad when it comes to disaster management.”
Between Superstition and Preparedness
Ryo Tatsuki’s manga, which has sold nearly 900,000 copies, continues to stir public fascination. Still, the artist herself has warned fans not to be “overly swayed” by her prophetic dreams, and instead to rely on official guidance.
Japan remains one of the most disaster-prepared nations in the world, with state-of-the-art early warning systems and rigorous building codes. However, the current episode reveals how quickly social media-fuelled superstition can spark fear, potentially disrupting economic momentum in the travel sector.
As Japanese authorities work to reassure the public and international travellers alike, the incident highlights a broader challenge: navigating the fine line between cultural beliefs, public perception, and scientific fact in an age where viral content can spread faster than seismic tremors.
