How a Manga Prediction is Still Impacting Tourism in Japan

A manga creator named Ryo Tatsuki gained fame after fans claimed her book predicted the 2011 earthquake. Because of this reputation, her later claim that a major disaster would strike Japan on July 5, 2025, caused many travelers from Hong Kong to cancel or avoid trips to the country. Although July 5 passed without incident, tourism numbers from the region have yet to recover.

Even with the date behind us, some internet users continue to argue the prophecy was accurate by pointing to a late July earthquake in Russia. They suggest the event was close enough in location and time to validate the claim. This ongoing belief is still influencing travel decisions for some people who remain wary of visiting Japan.

Takamatsu Airport recently addressed the issue during a city council meeting, noting that flights from Hong Kong have not returned to their usual levels. The airport is now planning new promotional efforts to encourage travelers to return. Local responses to the situation vary, with some residents expressing frustration over the economic impact, while others suggest that tourism trends might be influenced by broader economic factors rather than manga predictions alone.