Manga Prediction Fuels Earthquake Fear in Japan
A manga has sparked widespread fear across Japan after predicting a devastating earthquake would strike on 5 July 2025. The comic book, The Future I Saw, was reprinted in 2021 and has sold over one million copies in Japan. Its author, Ryo Tatsuki, referenced a “megaquake” that would trigger a tsunami “three times the size” of the 2011 disaster.
Tatsuki, a retired artist in her 70s, gained attention after her 1999 manga edition mentioned a “great disaster” in March 2011. That reference coincided with the Great East Japan Earthquake, which killed over 18,000 people. The tsunami also caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, amplifying fears about her new prediction.
‘The Future I Saw’ written by author Ryo Tatsuki
Author Comments Fail to Calm Fears
Tatsuki addressed the growing speculation last month in an interview with Sankei newspaper. “It may not happen,” she said about the predicted July 5 megaquake. However, she did not completely withdraw the warning, leaving some readers unsettled. Her publisher released a statement quoting Tatsuki saying she was “not a prophet.”
Despite her clarification, the story gained massive attention online, especially among younger audiences on TikTok. Akira Hasegawa, deputy manager of Village Vanguard Bookshop in Tokyo, said social media drove sales. “As July approached, the information about it spread on social media,” he said.
The manga scene depicting the Tsunami dream
Social Media Drives Panic, Airlines Respond
Viral content has generated millions of views across platforms, sparking irrational fears based on the comic. Two Hong Kong-based airlines have already reduced flights to southern Japan due to low travel demand.
Low-cost carrier Greater Bay Airlines suspended flights to Tokushima starting September due to weak bookings. Another carrier confirmed a drop in demand linked directly to the manga’s prediction.
Steve Huen from Hong Kong travel agency EGL Tours confirmed the trend. “Significant impact,” he said, describing the fallout from the panic. His firm’s Japan-related bookings halved over recent months.
Travellers Delay Japan Visits Amid Rumours
Some tourists expressed hesitation about travelling to Japan in July and August. Hong Kong resident Branden Choi, 28, said he usually visited Japan often. “If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September,” he said.
An American tourist in Japan told Reuters he considered cancelling his trip. “She was trying to talk me out of coming,” Joey Peng said about his wife. He mentioned watching YouTube videos and researching the prediction before deciding to travel.
Percentage of men and women who have heard about the rumour
Japan’s Earthquake History and Reality
Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences nearly 1,500 earthquakes a year. That’s about 20 per cent of the global total. In recent days, over 900 minor quakes struck near the southern tip of Kyushu.
In April, Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned the public about unscientific earthquake predictions. “Predicting earthquakes by specifying the date, time, and location is difficult,” it said in a statement.
Last month, JMA director-general Ryoichi Nomura echoed that position during a press briefing. “It is regrettable that people are being affected by baseless information in this age of modern science,” he said. Nomura also “strongly” urged the “public not to take irrational actions driven by anxiety.”
Scientific View on Earthquake Forecasting
Seismologists continue to insist that earthquake prediction remains beyond current capabilities. Robert Geller, a University of Tokyo professor who has studied seismology since 1971, dismissed all such claims. “None of the predictions I’ve experienced in my scientific career have come close at all,” he said.
Still, concerns remain over the long-term risk of major seismic activity along the Nankai Trough. In August, JMA said the “likelihood of a new major earthquake is higher than normal” in that region. The trough spans 900 kilometres south of Japan and has triggered major quakes in the past.
Earlier this year, a government panel said there is an 80 per cent chance of a megaquake along the Nankai Trough within 30 years. The report warned of a worst-case scenario where up to 298,000 people could die.
Tourism Boom Shaken by Comic Book Rumours
Japan recently recorded its highest monthly tourist arrival in April, with 3.9 million visitors. That momentum dipped in May following the manga rumours. Arrivals from Hong Kong, where the rumour spread rapidly, dropped 11 per cent year-on-year.
Tokushima Tourism Promotion expressed concern over the cancellations. “We are surprised that such rumours have led to cancellations,” the department said.
Travel agents noted that earthquake insurance and discounts have slowed the tourism decline but not reversed it. Despite no scientific evidence, The Future I Saw has created a panic with real-world economic impact.
Authorities Urge Calm as Panic Spreads
The Japanese government continues to advise the public to rely on credible sources like JMA, USGS, BGS, and EMSC. Officials maintain that no person or medium can forecast the precise time and location of future earthquakes.
While Japan remains earthquake-prone, experts and officials alike emphasise that actions should be guided by science, not superstition.
