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Reuters
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Manga doomsday prediction spooks tourists to Japan
TOKYO/HONG KONG, July 3 (Reuters) - Viral rumours of impending disaster stemming from a comic book prediction have taken the sheen off Japan's tourism boom, with some airlines cancelling flights from Hong Kong where passengers numbers have plunged. Japan has seen record numbers of visitors this year, with April setting an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travellers. That dipped in May, however, with arrivals from Hong Kong - the superstitious Chinese-controlled city where the rumours have circulated widely - down 11% year-on-year, according to the latest data. Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based travel agency EGL Tours blamed a flurry of social media predictions tied to a manga that depicts a dream of a massive earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan and neighbouring countries in July 2025. "The rumours have had a significant impact," said Huen, adding that his firm had seen its Japan-related business halve. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance had "prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero," he added. Hong Kong resident Branden Choi, 28, said he was a frequent traveller to Japan but was hesitant to visit the country during July and August due to the manga prediction. "If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September", he said. Ryo Tatsuki, the artist behind the manga titled 'The Future I Saw', first published in 1999 and then re-released in 2021, has tried to dampen the speculation, saying in a statement issued by her publisher that she was "not a prophet". The first edition of the manga warned of a major natural disaster in March 2011. That was the month and year when a massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster struck Japan's northeastern coast killing thousands. Some have interpreted the latest edition as predicting a catastrophic event would occur specifically on July 5, 2025, although Tatsuki has denied this. Situated within the Pacific Ocean's 'Ring of Fire,' Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. In recent days there have been more than 900 earthquakes, most of them small tremors, on islands off the southern tip of Kyushu. But Robert Geller, a professor at the University of Tokyo who has studied seismology since 1971, said even scientifically-based earthquake prediction was "impossible". "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all," he said. Nevertheless, low-cost carrier Greater Bay Airlines became the latest Hong Kong airline on Wednesday to cancel flights to Japan due to low demand, saying it would indefinitely suspend its service to Tokushima in western Japan from September. Serena Peng, 30, a visitor to Tokyo from Seattle, had initially tried to talk her husband out of visiting Japan after seeing the social media speculation. "I'm not super worried right now, but I was before," she said, speaking outside Tokyo's bustling Senso-ji temple.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viral quake doomsday rumors spook tourists to Japan
STORY: Japan has seen a tourism boom in recent years but a viral rumor about a disaster coming this Saturday is having a real effect on arrivals. Japan set an all-time monthly record of 3.9 million visitors in April. But in May, arrivals from Hong Kong—the superstitious, Chinese-controlled city where the rumors have gained particular traction—fell by 11 percent year-on-year. The rumors stem from a Japanese manga called "The Future I Saw," by artist Ryo Tatsuki. Some believes it predicts a catastrophic earthquake in Japan on July 5th. Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours, has tried cutting prices for tour packages – and even offered earthquake insurance. "The rumors have had a significant impact, cutting our Japan-related business by around 50%. However, the demand for other destinations, such as mainland China and Southeast Asia, has grown." Hong Kong resident Branden Choi said he was a frequent traveler to Japan, but was hesitant to visit for now. "I think, for me, the most important thing about travelling is safety. Hearing this prediction, I would also try my best to avoid going to Japan during July and August." Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, has denied being a prophet or the rumors about July 5, saying her work has been misinterpreted. :: March 11, 2011 The first edition of her manga warned of a major natural disaster in March 2011 – the month and year of the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. The social media rumors interpret that a new edition of the comic book predicts a July 5th catastrophe. Japan does sit in on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and is one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. But Robert Geller, who has studied seismology for over 50 years, says even scientific prediction of earthquakes is impossible. "The famous astronomer Carl Sagan, uhm, he once said that extraordinary claims should require extraordinary evidence, but these predictors are making extraordinary claims with the flimsiest of flimsy evidence, basically none at all." Meanwhile at the Tokyo landmark of Asakusa, the scene was like any other day – flocks of tourists streaming through its gates to browse stalls and see the shrine. But some Reuters spoke to still had the rumors on their minds - even those from beyond Hong Kong. Seattle visitor Serena Peng had initially tried to talk her husband out of their trip. "I first heard about it from my wife, and then I watched some YouTube videos and did some research. She was very concerned. If it happens, it happens. So I'm not super worried right now, but I was before."
