Rumours Linked to Manga Prediction Hit Japan’s Tourist Boom
Viral rumours tied to a comic book have cast a shadow over Japan’s tourism boom. Some airlines have cancelled flights from Hong Kong due to a sharp drop in passenger numbers. Japan tourism has welcomed record visitor numbers this year. In April, the country saw an all-time high of 3.9 million travellers. However, arrivals dipped in May, with visitors from Hong Kong dropping 11% from the previous year.
Airlines Cancel Flights Amid Fears
Greater Bay Airlines, a budget airline based in Hong Kong, announced on Wednesday (July 2) that it will cancel flights to Japan. The airline plans to suspend its service to Tokushima in western Japan from September due to low demand.
The decline in Japan tourism demand links to viral social media rumours. These rumours are tied to a manga depicting a dream of a massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan and nearby countries in July 2025.
Steve Huen, Executive Director of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours, said the rumours have greatly affected travel plans. His company has seen Japan-related business drop by half. However, he noted that discounts and earthquake insurance have kept some travellers from cancelling all plans.
Visitors Split on Travelling to Japan
Hong Kong resident Branden Choi, 28, said he usually travels to Japan often. Yet, he now plans to avoid visiting during July and August because of the manga prediction. “If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September,” he said.
In Tokyo, some travellers remain calm. Davy Yau, 42, from San Francisco, said, “No one can predict earthquakes, so we’re not cancelling our trip over a rumour.”
Experts agree. Robert Geller, a professor at the University of Tokyo, stated that scientifically-based earthquake prediction is impossible.
The manga, titled “The Future I Saw”, was created by artist Ryo Tatsuki and first published in 1999, later re-released in 2021. Some people claim the manga predicts a disaster on Saturday (July 5). Tatsuki has denied this and clarified that she is not a prophet.
Japan, located in the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire”, remains one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Despite these rumours, many visitors still choose to travel, trusting in the country’s disaster readiness and infrastructure.
with inputs from Reuters