Japan's thriving tourism sector is currently facing a unique challenge, as viral rumors stemming from a comic book prediction of a major disaster, specifically an earthquake on July 5, 2025, have begun to impact travel. The source of these rumors is Ryo Tatsuki's manga, 'The Future I Saw,' originally published in 1999 and re-released in 2021. This manga gained notoriety for allegedly foreseeing the devastating Tohoku earthquake of March 2011, leading to heightened anxiety among the public, particularly in Hong Kong where superstitious beliefs are prevalent and the rumors have circulated widely on social media platforms, dubbing Tatsuki the 'Baba Vanga of Japan'.

The impact of these rumors on tourism has been a mixed bag, with differing reports emerging from the travel industry. Some travel agencies and airlines, particularly from Hong Kong, have reported significant setbacks. For instance, Hong Kong-based EGL Tours saw its Japan-related business halve, and low-cost carrier Greater Bay Airlines indefinitely suspended its service to Tokushima due to low demand. Data indicated that arrivals from Hong Kong dipped 11% year-on-year in May, following April's record high of 3.9 million international travelers to Japan. Individual travelers, such as Branden Choi and Serena Peng, expressed hesitation or initial worry about visiting Japan during July and August due to the predictions.

Conversely, other reports suggest a more minimal direct impact on travel plans from Hong Kong. While there's an expected overall decline in summer tours by half compared to the previous year, this reduction is largely attributed to economic factors such as increased flight costs rather than the manga's prophecy. Travel agencies like EGL Tours and Arrow Travel Agency reported no significant cancellations of Japan-bound tours specifically linked to the prediction for the upcoming weekend. The Japan National Tourism Organisation noted a 11.2% decrease in visitors from Hong Kong in May, but this was seen as a broader trend influenced more by economic considerations and the availability of more affordable alternative destinations like South Korea, Vietnam, and cities in western mainland China.

Despite the widespread concern amplified by social media, both the manga artist, Ryo Tatsuki, and the scientific community have dismissed the predictions. Tatsuki, through her publisher, has explicitly stated she is 'not a prophet' and denied specific predictions for July 5, 2025. Furthermore, seismology experts, such as Robert Geller, a professor at the University of Tokyo, emphatically state that scientifically based earthquake prediction is 'impossible.' The Japanese government and the Japan Meteorological Agency have also labeled the rumors a 'hoax,' emphasizing that current scientific methods cannot predict earthquakes with such precise details regarding timing, location, or magnitude.

This phenomenon underscores the potent role of media and folklore in shaping public perception and behavior, especially in regions with a deep appreciation for Japanese pop culture. While the scientific community remains steadfast in its dismissal of such claims, the cultural impact of these narratives highlights the complex interplay between myth, media, and reality, influencing societal actions and decisions in the face of the unknown. The ongoing situation serves as a compelling case study on how sensational claims, even without scientific basis, can generate anxiety and temporarily influence industries like tourism.