Japan has long been a top destination for summer travelers, with its serene temples, vibrant cities, and natural beauty drawing millions annually. But this year, tourism has taken an unexpected hit, not from a natural disaster, but from a comic book. A decades-old manga calledThe Future I Sawhas resurfaced in headlines for predicting a catastrophic earthquake in July 2025, and some travelers are taking it seriously enough to cancel their trips.
What sounds like the plot of a sci-fi thriller has become a real-world concern, according toYahoo! News, especially among tourists from Asia. The manga’s author, Ryo Tatsuki, has built a cult-like following for her dream-based predictions.Her claim that a tsunami-inducing quake will strike off Japan’s coast on July 5 has triggered waves of fear, compounded by her earlier prediction that eerily aligned with the 2011 Tōhoku disaster.Now, speculation is spiraling across social media and travel forums.
The Manga That Sees the Future?
The Prophetic Pages of The Future I Saw
Originally published in 1999 and reissued in 2021,The Future I Sawchronicles a series of dream-based prophecies, including one that seemingly forecast the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.In its updated edition, the manga warns of another disaster set to strike Japan in July 2025, a prediction that has taken on unsettling weight. The story describes a crack forming beneath the sea near the Philippines, triggering waves even taller than those of 2011. With Tatsuki’s previous “hit” on record, many now believe her visions deserve attention.
Tatsuki’s influence extends beyond manga fans.In East Asia, where belief in spiritual foresight blends with cultural narratives, her predictions have stirred widespread anxiety.CNN reported that Tatsuki’s name resurged online after her forecast date neared. Combined with viral videos and disaster-predicting forums, some with hundreds of thousands of members, the manga has become more than fiction. It is now seen by some as a warning not to be ignored, and that fear is spreading fast.
Tourism Trembles Amid Earthquake Panic
Japan’s Tourism Industry Grapples With Prophecy Panic
As a result,Japan is seeing a noticeable dip in international tourism interest, especially from Hong Kong and parts of China. According to travel agencies, trip inquiries have plummeted by up to 80% compared to last year. Tour companies report that would-be tourists are canceling bookings or delaying plans due to the perceived risk. For a country that relies heavily on seasonal tourism revenue, the economic impact of this fear could be significant.
Airlines are also feeling the effects. Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines anticipated packed flights to Japan but saw only 40% of seats reserved. In response, Japanese officials are scrambling to reassure visitors, emphasizing that the country remains safe. Even as the Chinese embassy issued precautionary advice to travelers, localJapanese authorities have urged people to ignore online rumorsand continue visiting. Yet the anxiety lingers, proving the power of fiction when it intersects with real-world fear.
