≡-Japan’s Tourism Boom Stalls as Viral Manga Prophecy of 2025 Earthquake Triggers Widespread Panic and Cancellations – Viral of Today

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Home » TOURISM NEWS » Japan’s Tourism Boom Stalls as Viral Manga Prophecy of 2025 Earthquake Triggers Widespread Panic and Cancellations Saturday, July 5, 2025Japan’s tourism industry, which had been thriving with record visitor numbers, has unexpectedly faltered this summer due to a viral resurgence of a decades-old manga prophecy. The graphic novel Watashi ga Mita Mirai (The Future I Saw), first published in 1999, predicted a devastating earthquake set to hit Japan on July 5, 2025. The eerie accuracy of the manga’s previous predictions, including foreshadowing the 2011 Fukushima disaster, has sparked widespread panic, particularly in Hong Kong, where travel agencies are reporting significant booking cancellations. The prophetic narrative, amplified through social media platforms, has caused a sharp decline in travel bookings, severely affecting Japan’s tourism sector just as it was enjoying a much-needed recovery from the pandemic.In 2025, Japan’s tourism industry entered the year with remarkable momentum, celebrating a historic surge in visitor numbers and capturing global attention for its rich cultural heritage. However, an unexpected and peculiar challenge loomed just as the summer travel season approached—one that had little to do with natural disasters, political tensions, or economic shifts. Instead, it came from the pages of a decades-old manga, which caused a sudden and significant drop in travel bookings to Japan. The catalyst for this decline? A graphic novel, Watashi ga Mita Mirai (The Future I Saw), first published in 1999 by the enigmatic Japanese artist Ryo Tatsuki.The manga gained renewed attention earlier this year when readers uncovered a chillingly specific “prediction” of a catastrophic event—a massive earthquake set to strike Japan on July 5, 2025. The graphic novel described the scenario of a massive quake, accompanied by a deep crack forming beneath the seabed between Japan and the Philippines, followed by a tsunami with waves “three times” higher than those witnessed in the tragic 2011 disaster. This unsettling prophecy struck a nerve, especially because the manga’s original release seemed to eerily foreshadow the Fukushima earthquake and subsequent nuclear crisis.The foreboding imagery and the perceived accuracy of Tatsuki’s past predictions sparked viral anxiety across social media platforms. As clips, screenshots, and dramatic readings of the manga circulated, TikTok creators began warning their followers against traveling to Japan in July. Conspiracy theorists debated whether Tatsuki was a misunderstood prophet or simply a creator with a strange knack for foreseeing disasters. In Hong Kong, where the manga had gained a cult following, the anxiety turned into action, with travel agents reporting a significant increase in cancellations and hesitations.The data backing the hysteria is undeniable. According to travel industry data firm ForwardKeys, flight bookings from Hong Kong to Japan have dropped by almost 50% compared to the previous year. In the weeks leading up to July 2025, bookings fell by a staggering 83%. Despite efforts by travel agencies like EGL Tours to offset the effects by slashing prices and even offering earthquake insurance, the impact has been profound. In response, airlines such as Greater Bay Airlines have suspended flights to destinations like Tokushima, citing the dramatic fall in demand.This unfortunate downturn in tourism couldn’t have come at a worse time for Japan. After enduring years of pandemic-related travel restrictions, the country had finally seen a full recovery in international tourism. In April 2025 alone, Japan welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million visitors, with travelers flocking to the country to experience its stunning spring landscapes, rich cultural offerings, and world-renowned culinary delights. However, as the summer approached and the July 5 “prophecy” loomed on the horizon, many potential travelers began rethinking their plans.While the situation remains fluid, with some optimism for a rebound once the hysteria subsides, the The Future I Saw incident offers a unique glimpse into the power of online narratives and their tangible effects on global events. In today’s digital age, even fictional stories, amplified by social media and online platforms, can spark widespread fear and cause real-world disruptions.Whether the tourism sector will recover quickly or whether the effects of this bizarre episode will linger remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the collision of art, anxiety, and social media has led to a new chapter in Japan’s tourism narrative—one that demonstrates how the virtual world can shape perceptions, decisions, and even the global economy.Japan’s tourism industry faces an unexpected downturn as the resurgence of a 1999 manga predicting a catastrophic earthquake in 2025 fuels widespread anxiety, leading to a dramatic drop in bookings, particularly from Hong Kong. The viral prophecy has caused potential travelers to hesitate, just as the country was recovering from pandemic-induced travel restrictionFor now, July 5, 2025, remains just another date on the calendar. But for Japan’s tourism industry, it will forever serve as a reminder of how the power of online storytelling, regardless of its factual accuracy, can disrupt even the most promising of economic recoveries.«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»

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