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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Here's why a Manga prediction crashed Japan's tourist numbers in June
Visitor interest in Japan saw a downturn in June, following widespread speculation linked to a prophecy in a Japanese manga predicting a 'disaster' in July 2025. The forecast originated in a 2021 reprint of the manga 'Watashi ga Mita Mirai, Kanzenban', which translates to 'The Future That I Saw, Complete Edition' by artist Ryo Tatsuki. The manga's original 1999 edition featured a reference to a 'disaster in March 2011'. In March 2011, Japan experienced the catastrophic Great Tohoku Earthquake, its most powerful recorded quake, which resulted in nearly 20,000 deaths and triggered the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis. The Amazon listing for the manga's reprint, as translated by Google, claimed the author had 'new prophetic dreams' and warned that the 'real disaster will come in July 2025". Prophecy widely circulated across TV networks, influencers CN Yuen, managing director of Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG, was quoted as saying by CNBC that the rumour gained major traction in Hong Kong, spreading rapidly across mainstream media, television networks, and YouTube influencers. As a result, tourist arrivals from Hong Kong to Japan fell by 33.4 per cent year-on-year in June, following an 11.2 per cent decline in May, according to data from Japan's National Tourism Organisation. Yuen stated that his agency observed a 50 per cent drop in bookings and enquiries for travel to Japan during April and May compared to the previous year. Broader slowdown across Asia Tourist inflows from other Asian countries also slowed. Visitor numbers from South Korea reportedly rose just 3.8 per cent in June, a fall from May's 11.8 per cent growth. Similarly, arrivals from Taiwan slumped from a 15.5 per cent increase in May to only 1.8 per cent in June. From January to May 2025, overseas arrivals to Japan reportedly rose by an average of 24 per cent year-on-year. However, June saw only a 7.6 per cent increase, signalling a marked slowdown. 'This time, it's different' Yuen noted that travel downturns after natural disasters are common, which usually end after the incident is over. Yuen said that this time was different, as nothing had actually happened and it was merely a rumour or prophecy. Earlier in July, media outlets in both Hong Kong and Japan reported that airlines had reduced flights between Hong Kong and certain Japanese cities, including Nagoya. Zilmiyah Kamble, a senior lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at James Cook University, told CNBC the cultural authority of manga, coupled with memories of past disasters and Japan's real seismic vulnerability, meant such warnings resonated deeply in the region. In this case, she said a fictional narrative amplified by social media could have provided a compelling—though scientifically unfounded—reason for people to postpone their travel plans.
CNBC
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNBC
Asian visitors to Japan fell because of a strange manga prediction. Here's why
Visitor interest in Japan plunged in June, amid a prophecy in a manga that predicted a "disaster" would strike Japan in July 2025. The prediction was in a 2021 reprint of a Japanese comic book, or manga, titled "Watashi ga Mita Mirai, Kanzenban" (which translates to "The Future That I Saw, Complete Edition") by artist Ryo Tatsuki. In the original printing of the book in 1999, the cover page referenced a "disaster in March 2011." In March 2011, Japan suffered its most powerful earthquake on record, the Great Tohoku Earthquake, which caused almost 20,000 deaths and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The Amazon listing for the reprint stated that the author had "new prophetic dreams" including the "real disaster will come in July 2025," according to a Google translation. CN Yuen, managing director of Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG told CNBC that the rumor was widely circulated in Hong Kong, where it spread over mainstream media, TV networks and through YouTube influencers. Visitors arrivals from Hong Kong plunged 33.4% year on year in June, following an earlier 11.2% drop in May, according to Japan's National Tourism Organization. Yuen said his agency has seen a 50% decrease in bookings and inquiries in April and May to Japan from last year. Tourist arrivals from other Asian countries also experienced slower growth. Arrivals from South Korea rose just 3.8% in June compared with May's 11.8%. Arrivals from Taiwan slowed significantly as well, from a 15.5% increase in May to 1.8% in June. Overseas visitors to Japan grew 24%, on average, from January to May of this year, compared to 2024. But June arrivals only saw a 7.6% increase, according to Japan's travel statistics. WWPKG's Yuen said he is used to travel downturns related to natural disasters, which usually end after the incident is over. But "this time, it's different, because nothing happened actually. It's only a rumor, or prophecy," he told CNBC. "This is the first time we've seen such an incident." Hong Kong and Japanese media reported earlier in July that Hong Kong airlines cut flights to some Japanese cities, including Nagoya. A January report from Japan's Asahi Shimbun, citing the country's Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion, also warned that the likelihood of a megaquake in the next 30 years had risen to 80%—a development that, combined with the prediction, created a "perfect storm" to deter travelers, Yuen said. However, Japan's Meteorological Agency said: "It should be noted that the issuance of information indicating elevated potential for a Nankai Trough earthquake does not necessarily mean that one will actually strike." JNTO data showed that the share of Asian tourists fell year on year in June, but that of Western countries rose. Experts CNBC spoke to gave various reasons, including cultural ones. "Manga is not just entertainment; it is widely read across age groups and carries a bit of cultural authority in some Asian societies," said Zimbayah Kamble, a senior lecturer for hospitality at James Cook University. That, combined with memories of past disasters and the reality of Japan's seismic vulnerability, mean that such warnings "resonate strongly" in the region, she said. Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management from the Singapore Institute of Management, said the rapid spread of the rumors through social media platforms and the collectivist nature of many Asian societies led to a social amplification of perceived risk. "This means that even if some individuals have doubts, the collective response of their community or peers can significantly influence their decisions, leading to widespread behavioral changes, such as travel cancelations," Kiatkawsin said. "In this case, a fictional narrative amplified by social media could have created a compelling, if scientifically unfounded reason to defer travel," he said. But both experts also pointed to a more ordinary reason: the flexibility of short-haul travel. Kiatkawsin said the costs of canceling the flights and hotel bookings are not perceived as a barrier anymore. "If they do not travel to Japan this time, they can go another time without much hassle to arrange again," he said he does not expect the prediction will affect Japan's overall travel outlook, given that the prediction is restricted to the month of July.
News18
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Will New Baba Vanga's Quake Prophecy Come True? Look-Back At Mega Japan Disasters As Experts Say...
Last Updated: Ryo Tatsuki's Watashi ga Mita Mirai has gained attention for its seemingly accurate references to past events including the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. It is July 5 – the day that was prophesied to bring a mega earthquake in Japan. The prediction comes from a popular Japanese manga titled Watashi ga Mita Mirai, Kanzenban (The Future That I Saw, Complete Edition) which was first published in 1999. The book, based on the dreams of artist Ryo Tatsuki, has gained attention over the years for its seemingly accurate references to past events including the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Many people online began revisiting the manga's warning, especially a line on its cover that reads: 'The real disaster will come in July 2025." In the story, characters talk about a natural disaster in which 'the ocean floor between Japan and the Philippines will crack" and trigger massive waves that are higher than those seen in 2011. While the manga has no scientific basis, the prediction has sparked widespread interest and anxiety. 'Prophetic Manga' Ryo Tatsuki's Watashi ga Mita Mirai is often described as a 'prophetic manga." Fans believe it accurately foresaw several major global events including the deaths of Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. But it gained serious attention after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in March 2011. The manga had mentioned a 'massive disaster in March 2011" on its cover which was published more than a decade earlier. This connection led many to take the latest warning about July 2025 seriously. Social media platforms have been flooded with posts and videos about the so-called prediction. Experts say that while some major earthquakes including the 2011 disaster, were preceded by smaller tremors known as foreshocks, these are rare and not reliable indicators. A Bloomberg report also noted that such foreshocks occur only once in several hundred cases. Even Ryo Tatsuki has addressed the speculation. According to Reuters, she clarified that she is 'not a prophet." She urged people not to be 'overly swayed" by her dreams and 'act appropriately based on expert opinions." Spike In Quakes Around Tokara Islands Adds To Anxiety A remote and sparsely populated chain of islands in southern Japan has been experiencing an unusual spike in seismic activity which has caused concern among residents. Since June 21, more than 900 earthquakes have reportedly been recorded around the Tokara Island chain with a magnitude 5.5 tremor striking the area on Wednesday, July 2. While no major damage has been reported and no tsunami warning has been issued, authorities have urged residents to stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation, according to the BBC. Only about 700 people live on seven of the 12 Tokara islands. As per local media reports, the area has experienced clusters of earthquakes in the past but the frequency of the most recent tremors has been unusual. 'It's very scary to even fall asleep. It feels like it's always shaking," one resident said. While the manga's disaster may be fictional, scientists have long warned of a megaquake especially because Japan is located along the 'Ring of Fire," a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country experiences up to 2,000 noticeable quakes every year and accounts for about 20 percent of all magnitude 6 or higher earthquakes globally. Japanese authorities have been preparing for what is called the 'once-in-a-century" Nankai Trough megaquake. The Nankai Trough is an 800-km undersea trench off the coast of southern Japan. Experts estimate there is an 80 percent chance of a magnitude 9 earthquake occurring there before 2055. If that happens, it could kill up to three lakh people. Japan's History Of Deadly Earthquakes 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami: A 9.0-magnitude quake struck off Japan's northeast coast on March 11, 2011. Over 18,000 died in the disaster which also caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster. It remains the most powerful quake in Japan's history. 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake: This 7.9-magnitude quake hit the Tokyo and Yokohama regions on September 1, 1923. Over one lakh people died. 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake: More than 6,000 people lost their lives when a region near Kobe was struck by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on January 17, 1995. 1948 Fukui Earthquake: On June 28, 1948, a 7.1 earthquake devastated Fukui Prefecture and killed 3,700 people. 2004 Chūetsu Earthquake: Though smaller at 6.6 magnitude, this quake on October 23, 2004, caused significant damage in Niigata Prefecture and led to 68 deaths. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published:
