Japan is currently facing an unusual tourism downturn, sparked by a viral rumor about a massive earthquake and tsunami predicted for July 5 by a decades-old comic book.
A Manga’s Chilling Prophecy Takes Hold
The panic stems from “The Future I Saw,” a manga published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, created by Ryo Tatsuki. This comic details a series of dreams Tatsuki had, including one that allegedly predicted the devastating March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.
That 2011 disaster claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction, including damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant. Because of this eerie past accuracy, many are taking her latest prediction seriously: a massive earthquake and tsunami on July 5, 2025, powerful enough to affect neighboring countries.
Tatsuki, a retired mangaka in her 70s, has stated through her publisher that she is not a prophet and has distanced herself from the growing speculation. However, the fear has already spread wide.
Tourism Hit Hard by Doomsday Scare
The viral rumor has caused a significant impact on Japan’s booming tourism industry. After seeing record visitor numbers earlier in the year, May saw a sudden drop in bookings.
Travel agencies, like one based in Hong Kong, reported a 50% decrease in bookings for Japan. Budget airline Greater Bay Airlines even cancelled flights to Tokushima, citing a complete collapse in demand.
Ironically, as panic spreads, “The Future I Saw” has become a bestseller, selling over a million copies. It now sits prominently in bookstores, with some even displaying warnings like, “Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
Science Versus Superstition
Despite the widespread fear, scientists around the world are quick to point out that earthquakes cannot be predicted. Professor Robert Geller, a seismologist at the University of Tokyo, stated he has never seen any reliable psychic or scientific prediction come true in his decades of study.
Japan’s geographical location on the “Ring of Fire” means it experiences frequent seismic activity. Over 900 small tremors were recorded in recent weeks, particularly around the southern islands of Kyushu, which is normal for the region.
While an earthquake did hit the country on July 2, such events are common in Japan and do not validate a specific doomsday prophecy. The scientific community maintains that there is no basis for the July 5 prediction.
- A 1995 manga, “The Future I Saw,” is causing panic in Japan with a July 5, 2025, doomsday prophecy.
- The manga’s author, Ryo Tatsuki, accurately predicted the 2011 earthquake, fueling current fears.
- Tourism to Japan has dropped significantly, with flight cancellations and reduced bookings reported.
- Scientists firmly state that earthquakes cannot be predicted, dismissing the comic book’s prophecy.
The situation highlights the powerful influence of viral rumors, even when contradicted by scientific evidence.
