Japan saw a drop in tourism — most specifically from Hong Kong — due to the prediction of a manga creator whom some people believe to be psychic. Ryo Tatsuki, the mangaka, rose to fame after her dream book allegedly predicted the 2011 earthquake. When she published another book saying there would be a terrible earthquake disaster in Japan on July 5, 2025, many people from Hong Kong decided not to travel to Japan.
Obviously July 5, 2025 is now in the rearview mirror and nothing like her prediction happened. However, Japan is still facing a drop of tourists from Hong Kong, and pointing to the prophecy.
Even after July 5 was over, some people on the internet have claimed that the prediction did come true, and pointed to a major 8.8 earthquake in Russia that occurred on July 30. Essentially, they’re arguing that because Russia is close to Japan, and because July 5 and July 30 are still both July, the prophecy came true. And so the prediction still has some life on the internet and is apparently still impacting some people’s travel decisions.
Takamatsu Airport took the opportunity of a recent city counsel meeting to say that it still doesn’t have its previous numbers from Hong Kong. It’s going to try new initiatives and promotions to attempt to get more Hong Kong people flying.
SoraNews24 shared some online responses from people in Japan to the news about the airport:
“Someone made a profit by predicting a disaster without any basis. The affected businesses have a right to seek compensation.”
“The decline in tourists from China wasn’t because of the manga, but the economic decline from the real estate bubble.”
“People in big cities may be tired of tourists, but rural areas need them the most.”
“Maybe it’s a good thing that numbers calm down for a while.”
Source: SoraNews24
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.