Hiroshima: A decades-old manga prediction by artist Ryo Tatsuki, often dubbed Japan’s “new Baba Vanga,” has resurfaced and triggered widespread alarm across Japanese social media. The comic, titled The Future I See, foretells a massive tsunami striking Japan on July 5, 2025, leading to a wave of panic and speculation, despite reassurances from experts and government agencies.
Manga Prediction Sparks Widespread Anxiety
Originally published in 1999 and gaining notoriety after seemingly predicting the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, Tatsuki’s manga has become a focal point of online discussion. In particular, a panel depicting a massive seismic event on July 5, 2025, has gone viral, prompting travel cancellations, especially from East Asian countries, and causing unease in Japan’s tourism sector.
The manga’s storyline includes the emergence of an undersea crack between Japan and the Philippines, allegedly three times larger than the fault line responsible for the 2011 disaster. Though fictional, the scenario has been amplified by thousands of posts and videos on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), sparking panic in regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and China.
Manga Creator Urges Calm
Ryo Tatsuki, the manga’s creator, has urged the public not to take the work literally, stating it is speculative fiction and should not be interpreted as a scientific prediction. She encouraged people to rely on official guidance and expert analysis instead of internet rumours.
Authorities: No Scientific Basis for Claims
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has emphasised that there is no scientific method currently available to predict earthquakes or tsunamis with precision. Authorities have dismissed the manga’s predictions as baseless and reminded the public to rely on official sources for disaster preparedness.
Professor Naoya Sekiya of the University of Tokyo echoed this sentiment, noting:
“Earthquakes are unpredictable by nature. The best protection lies in preparation, not panic.”
Coinciding with the viral spread of the manga’s predictions, over 900 seismic events have been recorded in the Tokara Islands of southern Japan since June 21, including a magnitude 5.5 quake earlier this week. Although no tsunami warnings have been issued, the ongoing tremors have unsettled local communities and intensified fears fuelled by the manga.
Additionally, the eruption of Mount Shinmoe in Kyushu and reports of more than 330 tremors near Tokara have added to the public’s anxiety. While scientists have reaffirmed that these natural events are not linked to any prophetic claims, public fear continues to mount.
Tourism Sector Takes a Hit
The rumor-fueled panic is already impacting Japan’s tourism industry, with airlines reporting a sharp decline in bookings. Greater Bay Airlines, for example, noted a 30% drop in reservations, and overall travel bookings from Hong Kong reportedly declined by 50% in May. Other affected countries include Thailand, Vietnam, and mainland China.
According to Takahide Kiuchi, Executive Economist at Nomura Research Institute, this misinformation could result in estimated economic losses of up to 560 billion yen.
Officials Warn Against Misinformation
Miyagi Prefecture Governor Yoshihiro Murai criticised the spread of unverified information online, describing it as a “serious threat” to tourism and public trust.
“The spread of scientifically baseless rumours on social media platforms is not just irresponsible—it’s harmful to the economy and public peace,” said Murai.
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