TOKYO – A surge of anxiety is sweeping across Japan driven by a viral online rumour tied to a decades-old manga, predicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on July 5, 2025. The widespread fear, fueled by the graphic novel titled “The Future I Saw” by artist Ryo Tatsuki, has begun to manifest in real-world consequences, impacting tourism, travel, and public sentiment.
The Origin of the Prophecy
The source of the current apprehension is the manga “The Future I Saw,” originally published in 1995 and later re-released in 2021. Its author, Ryo Tatsuki, gained a degree of notoriety after an earlier, seemingly coincidental prediction within the work was interpreted by some as corresponding with the devastating 2011 disaster. This perceived past accuracy has lent an unverified and unsettling credibility to subsequent prophecies contained within the comic.
The specific prediction causing the present alarm details a cataclysmic event scheduled for July 5, 2025. According to the manga’s narrative, this date marks the moment the ocean floor between Japan and the Philippines will crack open. The consequence is depicted as a massive tsunami, potentially reaching a height three times greater than the waves that struck Japan during the 2011 disaster.
Tangible Impact on Society
Despite originating from a work of fiction, the viral spread of this prophecy through social media and online forums has translated into tangible societal disruption. Reports indicate a significant drop in tourism across Japan as potential visitors reconsider travel plans in light of the ominous prediction. Furthermore, there are accounts of people leaving certain areas, presumably those perceived to be at higher risk from a potential seismic event or tsunami.
Perhaps one of the most striking indicators of the rumour’s impact is the disruption to air travel. Mass flight cancellations have been reported, with data suggesting that flights have dropped to approximately 83% of normal levels. This reduction points to a widespread reluctance among both international and domestic travelers to be in Japan around the predicted date, or possibly individuals attempting to leave the country before July 5, 2025.
The growing concern has also prompted official advisories. China’s embassy in Tokyo, for instance, has reportedly advised its citizens residing in or traveling to Japan to take precautions, acknowledging the public anxiety surrounding the date and the prediction.
Official Stance and Underlying Factors
In response to the escalating fear, official bodies have sought to reassure the public and counter the baseless prophecy. The Japan Meteorological Agency, the primary governmental organization responsible for monitoring seismic activity and issuing warnings, has unequivocally stated that such predictions, especially those derived from non-scientific sources like comic books, are unreliable and lack any scientific basis.
However, the rumour’s persistence is partly fueled by Japan’s inherent geological vulnerability and recent natural events. The nation is situated in one of the world’s most seismically active zones, and the memory of past earthquakes and tsunamis remains vivid. Moreover, recent seismic activity in southern Japan, while normal for the region, has likely exacerbated public anxieties and lent an unwarranted sense of urgency to the fictional prophecy.
Experts and officials emphasize that while preparing for natural disasters is crucial in Japan, basing actions on fictional prophecies can lead to unnecessary panic and disruption. Real disaster preparedness relies on scientific data, infrastructure resilience, and established warning systems, not speculative dates from fictional works.
Navigating Fear in the Digital Age
The phenomenon highlights how quickly unfounded rumours, particularly those tapping into deep-seated fears about natural disasters, can spread in the digital age. What began as a panel in a manga published nearly three decades ago has, through online amplification and selective interpretation, evolved into a source of widespread concern affecting travel, commerce, and the emotional well-being of residents and prospective visitors alike.
As July 5, 2025, approaches, the situation in Japan remains a complex interplay of official reassurance, public anxiety, and the disruptive power of viral misinformation. The hope is that rational assessment and scientific understanding will ultimately prevail over the fear generated by a fictional doomsday scenario.
