- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 28 May 2025 07:06 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A viral disaster prediction by Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki is stirring widespread anxiety and disrupting travel plans across Asia. In the revised 2021 edition of her manga The Future I Saw, Tatsuki forecasted a massive natural disaster set to strike on 5 July 2025. The prediction, lacking scientific backing, has nonetheless gained traction online, prompting mass cancellations of trips to Japan.
Tatsuki’s credibility stems from her allegedly accurate forecasts of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the 2011 Tohoku disaster, and even Freddie Mercury’s death. These have earned her comparisons to mystics like Baba Vanga. In her updated book, she warns of an undersea rupture near Japan, leading to tsunamis "three times larger" than 2011 and “boiling ocean waters”, suggesting a possible volcanic eruption in a seismically active region.
Social Media Frenzy Across Asia
Social media platforms in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam have amplified her prophecy. Psychics and feng shui masters have further fueled speculation. According to Diario AS, viral posts are warning users to avoid Japan during the first week of July 2025, turning into a global panic trigger.
The travel industry is already feeling the impact. CN Yuen, general manager at Hong Kong-based WWPKG Tours, told CNN that Japan-bound bookings dropped 50 per cent during Easter. “People are just saying they want to postpone their trip for now,” he said, with expectations of continued cancellations.
Other Predictions Add Fuel To Fire
A self-proclaimed psychic predicted a Tokyo Bay earthquake on April 26, which never materialised but still caused widespread unease on Chinese social media. Meanwhile, feng shui master Qi Xian Yu (Master Seven) publicly urged people to avoid Japan starting in April, compounding the fear.
Japan’s Cabinet Office posted on X, reaffirming that earthquakes cannot be accurately predicted. Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai also condemned the spread of such rumours, warning of the damage they cause to public trust and tourism. Despite reassurances from scientists and government officials, Tatsuki’s prophecy continues to circulate. While experts stress there’s no scientific validity, the viral spread and the artist’s reputation for past “predictions” are enough to keep thousands from planning travel to Japan in July 2025.