The manga artist who has prophesied a superquake in Japan on July 5

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Manga artist Ryo Tatsuki wrote in her 2021 work 'The Future I Saw' about a crack forming beneath the sea between Japan and the Philippines, which she claimed would trigger a tsunami three times more powerful than the one in 2011. The prediction has gone viral, especially after a small island in southern Japan recently recorded over 1,000 tremors. Some airlines have also cancelled flights from Hong Kong, where passenger numbers have seen the steepest drop read more
A massive disaster could hit Japan on July 5, according to manga artist Ryo Tatsuki's prediction.
The forecast comes from her 2021 manga, 'The Future I Saw', which was first released in 1999.
In the manga, she describes a crack forming beneath the sea between Japan and the Philippines, which would lead to a tsunami said to be three times stronger than the one that struck in 2011.
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The prediction, which has now gone viral, has led some airlines to cancel flights from Hong Kong, where passenger numbers have dropped the most.
Notably, a small island in southern Japan has recently recorded over 1,000 jolts.
So, what exactly is this prediction? And what's going on in the island that has already witnessed more than one thousand quakes?
Let's take a look:
What is the prediction by 'Japanese Baba Vanga'?
Manga fans believe that many of Ryo Tatsuki's predictions, which are based on her dreams and featured in her comic book, often come true.
Her track record has led to her being called the 'Japanese Baba Vanga', a reference to the late Bulgarian mystic known for foreseeing major global events, including the 9/11 attacks, ISIS's rise, and Barack Obama's election.
The latest prediction comes from Tatsuki's 2021 manga. She is also known for forecasting the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the 2011 Tohoku tsunami.
Whether it comes to pass or not, it's having an effect on air travel in Japan.
The Future That I Saw 👁️
Japanese Comic Predicts Massive Disaster for July 2025 (July 5, 2025 at 4:18 a.m.)
Retired comic artist Ryo Tatsuki claims that she has been having prophetic dreams for… pic.twitter.com/WJ6eqOdF8P — UFO CHRONICLES PODCAST🎙️𝕏 (@UFOchronpodcast) July 3, 2025
In her manga, she writes that a deep crack would appear beneath the sea between Japan and the Philippines, leading to massive waves, three times taller than those that hit Japan in the 2011 disaster.
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What has added fuel to the panic is that a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's Tokara Islands on Thursday (July 3), two days ahead of the date mentioned in the comic.
The prediction has since gone viral, especially across East Asia, with thousands of videos being shared online in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and South Korea.
On X, several users have linked the prediction to growing fears of a possible Nankai Trough megaquake.
In the manga, she describes a crack forming beneath the sea between Japan and the Philippines. Reuters/File Photo
Over 1,000 quakes jolt Japan's small island
Japanese officials recently advised 89 people living on a small island in the country's south to leave their homes after a strong quake hit the area on Thursday.
This was the latest in a series of over 1,000 tremors recorded in the region.
An official told AFP that residents were asked to move to a school playground on Akuseki Island.
Akuseki belongs to the Tokara island group, located south of the Kyushu region. Since June 21, the area has experienced 1,031 earthquakes.
Of the 12 islands in the Tokara chain, seven are inhabited, with about 700 people living across them.
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What Japanese gov and Tatsuki are saying
Ryo Tatsuki, the manga artist behind the much-discussed prediction, has asked people not to take her forecast too seriously.
In a recent interview, she said people should stay calm and rely on experts instead of her visions.
Meanwhile, Ayataka Ebita, director of the earthquake and tsunami observation division at Japan's Meteorological Agency, also responded to the rumours.
Japan sits on four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active places on Earth. Reuters/File Photo
He told AFP, 'We are aware that such tales are circulating, but that is a hoax.'
He added, 'With today's science and technology, it is not possible to predict earthquakes.'
The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a statement online saying: 'Any such predictions should be considered unreliable.'
How predictions have led to dip in tourism
The rumour has had an impact on tourism, especially among East Asian visitors.
Bloomberg Intelligence reported that bookings from Hong Kong have fallen by 50 per cent compared to 2024, and for the period from late June to early July, the drop is as steep as 83 per cent.
While Japan hit a record in April with 3.9 million tourists, the number of visitors in May dropped.
Arrivals from Hong Kong fell by 11 per cent year-on-year, according to the most recent data.
Steve Huen from Hong Kong-based EGL Tours blamed the fall in numbers on viral social media posts. These posts refer to a manga that mentions a dream about a massive earthquake and tsunami hitting Japan and nearby countries in July 2025.
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Japan's megaquake warning that could kill 300,000
Back in April this year, a report by the Japanese government warned of the serious consequences if a major earthquake were to strike the Nankai Trough, an area off Japan's Pacific coast.
The report estimated losses of around $1.81 trillion and suggested up to 300,000 people could lose their lives if the long-feared quake were to occur.
A damaged road after an earthquake, in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Reuters/File Photo
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Experts believe there is an 80 per cent chance of a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake hitting the Nankai Trough.
The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench about 800 kilometres long, stretching from Hyuganada near Kyushu to Suruga Bay in central Japan.
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For years, Japan has warned of a 70 to 80 per cent chance of a massive earthquake striking this region within the next three decades.
The country has seen devastating disasters before, including the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, followed by a nuclear crisis. That 9.0-magnitude quake led to the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
Japan sits on four major tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active places on Earth.
With inputs from agencies