Japan Faces Quake Fears Amid Viral Manga Predictions and Scientific Warnings
In recent days, Japan has found itself caught between science and superstition as concerns over earthquakes in the country have collided with a wave of viral panic. A recent 5.5-magnitude earthquake in the waters southwest of Kyushu island was strong enough to make standing difficult and prompted evacuations from remote areas. But what’s really fueling the public anxiety isn’t just seismic activity—it’s a 1999 manga that some believe predicted a disaster striking Japan in July 2025.
Yes, you heard that right. A comic book, The Future I Saw , by artist Ryo Tatsuki, is behind much of the current public panic. The manga, which was reprinted in 2021, has been interpreted by some as foretelling a catastrophic event for July 5, 2025. The comic had previously gained notoriety for allegedly predicting the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, and with that eerie precedent, it’s not surprising that rumors have taken off—especially online.
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As July arrived, social media platforms, particularly TikTok, were flooded with users sharing and speculating about the manga’s predictions. This digital whirlwind has already had a measurable impact. Tourist numbers, especially from Hong Kong where superstition plays a strong role, have dropped. Arrivals in May were down 11% compared to last year, and some airlines have even suspended routes to Japan due to falling demand. Travelers are hesitating, and businesses are noticing.
But Japan’s officials are urging calm. The Japan Meteorological Agency has been clear: while the country is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world, predicting the exact time or place of a quake remains scientifically impossible. Ayataka Ebita, director of the agency’s earthquake division, emphasized in a press briefing that people should rely on scientific data, not viral rumors.
Even seismologists are weighing in. Robert Geller, a longtime expert in earthquake science, stressed that no prediction—scientific or otherwise—has ever accurately forecast a quake in his entire career. Still, more than 1,000 small tremors in the Kagoshima region over the past two weeks have only added fuel to the fire, making it easier for speculative theories to gain traction.
The artist herself has spoken up too. Tatsuki stated plainly that she is "not a prophet." Her manga, based on dreams, was never intended to be predictive. Yet, the damage may already be done. Bookstores are seeing a spike in sales of The Future I Saw , and some Japanese retailers have even leaned into the drama with promotional banners that read, “Whether you believe it or not is up to you.”
So where does that leave us? Japan, ever-prepared and experienced in disaster management, continues its vigilant seismic monitoring. But this latest episode is a vivid reminder of how powerful stories can become, especially when they touch on our deepest fears. In a digital age, fact and fiction often blend—and sometimes, it’s a comic book, not a fault line, that shakes people the most.
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