Sunday, June 15, 2025

Japan’s tourism industry is facing a significant downturn following a resurgence of a controversial prediction in a manga, The Future I Saw, created by Ryo Tatsuki. The prediction, which has been widely circulated on social media and various online platforms, claims that a “great disaster” will hit Japan on July 5, 2025. As a result, many travelers from East Asia, particularly those from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, are reportedly canceling or postponing their trips to Japan out of fear. This unexpected decline in tourism is causing concern for Japan’s hospitality and tourism sectors, which were already recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Originally released in 1999, The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki gained attention after the manga seemingly predicted the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. The manga’s association with this real-world disaster has given its more recent predictions a sense of credibility among some readers. The updated edition of the manga, which was re-released in 2021, includes a new claim that another major disaster will occur in Japan on July 5, 2025. This ominous prediction has sparked widespread fear and panic, leading many to question the safety of traveling to Japan during that time.

The manga’s resurgence has been largely fueled by social media platforms, where viral videos, blogs, and articles have exaggerated its contents and associated them with past disasters. This has led to a wave of uncertainty, with some travelers fearing that Japan could experience a catastrophic event on the predicted date.

In addition to the earthquake prediction, some online videos have gone as far as speculating about potential volcanic eruptions, meteor strikes, and other natural disasters. These apocalyptic narratives have captured the attention of the public, especially in countries with close cultural and economic ties to Japan, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The most immediate impact has been on tourism bookings from East Asia, with notable declines reported from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, flight bookings to Japan from Hong Kong dropped by 50% compared to last year, and for travel dates in late June and early July, the decline was as steep as 83%. Travel agencies in Hong Kong have noted that bookings during the popular April-May spring holiday season were also significantly lower, with some reports indicating that bookings were down by 50% compared to the previous year.

Greater Bay Airlines, which typically experiences high demand for flights to Japan during cherry blossom season and Easter, reported a shocking drop in reservations. “We expected around 80% of the seats to be filled, but actual bookings only came to 40%,” said Hiroki Ito, general manager of the airline’s Japan office. Similarly, Hong Kong Airlines and other carriers have reduced their flight schedules to Japan, citing lower demand in the wake of the manga’s prediction. The airline industry in Hong Kong, along with Japan’s hospitality industry, is struggling to cope with the decrease in demand.

Despite the growing panic, government officials and experts in Japan have stepped in to counter the spread of misinformation. Yoshihiro Murai, the governor of Miyagi Prefecture, one of the areas most affected by the 2011 disaster, publicly urged people not to believe the unfounded claims. He emphasized that there is no scientific evidence to support the manga’s prediction of a disaster on July 5, 2025.

Experts from Japan’s Earthquake Research Committee also weighed in on the issue, stressing that while Japan lies in the earthquake-prone Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis cannot be predicted with precision. In April 2025, a government report indicated that there is an 80% chance of a large earthquake occurring in the Nankai Trough region within the next 30 years, but no specific date or timeframe can be determined.

While the government has made efforts to downplay the influence of the manga’s predictions, the tourism industry is still feeling the effects of the public’s fear. The Japanese Tourism Agency has issued statements assuring travelers that Japan remains a safe destination, but these efforts have yet to reverse the downward trend in bookings.

Social media has played a pivotal role in amplifying the fear surrounding the manga’s predictions. According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, over 1,400 videos discussing the manga’s forecast have been uploaded to YouTube, collectively garnering more than 100 million views. These videos often exaggerate the original claims and add sensational details, such as the possibility of a volcanic eruption or a meteor strike. The fear-mongering surrounding these videos has contributed significantly to the drop in tourism bookings, especially in the weeks leading up to the predicted date.

The rapid spread of misinformation has highlighted the powerful influence of social media and online content on public perception. While many of the claims made in these videos are entirely speculative, the sheer volume of views and engagement has made it difficult for government and tourism authorities to effectively counteract the panic.

The decline in bookings from East Asia is not just an isolated issue for Japan’s airline and hospitality sectors. The broader economic impact is also being felt across various industries that rely on tourism. From retail shops in major tourist districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku to cultural destinations like Kyoto and Hiroshima, many businesses are seeing fewer visitors than expected. Hotels are struggling to fill rooms, and tour operators are facing cancellations.

The Japanese government has expressed concern about the financial repercussions, as tourism contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP. Prior to the pandemic, Japan welcomed nearly 32 million international tourists annually. Now, with tourism numbers dropping due to the fear surrounding the manga’s prediction, Japan’s economy risks losing billions in revenue.

As the date of the predicted disaster approaches, both Japan’s government and tourism boards are working hard to assure the public that there is no basis for the claims made in the manga. Japan’s tourism industry is rolling out campaigns to highlight the country’s safety, its rich cultural offerings, and its resilience in the face of natural disasters. However, these efforts may not fully alleviate the fear that has been instilled by the viral spread of the manga’s predictions.

Ryo Tatsuki, the creator of the manga, has publicly asked her readers not to take the predictions too seriously. In a recent interview with a Japanese daily, she urged people to consult experts and not base their actions on fictional narratives. Despite this plea, the damage has already been done, with tourism from several key markets showing no signs of recovery.

As Japan approaches July 5, 2025, the tourism sector remains in a state of uncertainty. While the manga’s prediction lacks scientific credibility, its impact on public perception cannot be understated. Japan is known for its resilience in the face of disasters, and it will undoubtedly continue to rebuild its tourism industry. However, the growing panic fueled by misinformation presents an ongoing challenge.

Ultimately, Japan’s tourism authorities and the government will need to work together to reassure the public, debunk myths, and rebuild trust in the country as a safe and welcoming destination. It remains to be seen whether the industry can recover from this setback or if the influence of online content will continue to shape perceptions of safety in the region.