logo
‘The Future I Saw' manga doomsday prophecy spooks tourists, dents Japan's travel boom as Hong Kong arrivals plunge

‘The Future I Saw' manga doomsday prophecy spooks tourists, dents Japan's travel boom as Hong Kong arrivals plunge

Malay Mail4 days ago
Fears of catastrophe linked to viral manga The Future I Saw
Arrivals from Hong Kong drop 11 per cent on-year in May
Japan has seen record visitor numbers this year
TOKYO, July 3 — 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 per cent 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.
A member of staff places the comic book titled 'The Future I saw', authored by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, on the shelf at Village Vanguard book store in Tokyo June 30, 2025. — Reuters pic
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 yesterday 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. — Reuters
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Of ‘Squid Game' and family trauma
Of ‘Squid Game' and family trauma

Malay Mail

time11 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Of ‘Squid Game' and family trauma

JULY 7 — Note: There are no spoilers ahead. I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the real appeal of the Korean mega-series Squid Game (Season 2 was released earlier this year and the final season just dropped last week) is not the fact that contestants are gambling their lives via children's games; it's the fact that their deadly participation in said contests refracts the trauma and breakdown in modern family life. Freudian-inclined philosophers like Slavoj Žižek, Richard Boothby, and Alenka Zupancic have argued that popular media serves as a cultural mechanism for registering and working through complex emotions and societal tensions. As such, shows like Squid Game — and in fact almost every major movie or TV series — may be offering audiences a way of 'processing' frustration, pain and tragedy in the family by way of entertainment and fantasy. Consider how commonplace are the troubles in the family with regards to the show's main characters. As such, shows like Squid Game — and in fact almost every major movie or TV series — may be offering audiences a way of 'processing' frustration, pain and tragedy in the family by way of entertainment and fantasy. From the first season, we learnt that the chief protagonist, Gi-Hun, is a degenerate gambler who lives with his mum after being estranged from his wife. He loves his daughter deeply but is close to losing her as his ex-wife and her husband plan to migrate to the States, thus taking the daughter away from him. Although scared shitless about everyone dying from the first game, Gi-Hun continues playing after learning about his mum's growing health problems and the prospect of never seeing his daughter again. In Season 2, the family nightmares continue. No-Eul is a North Korean defector traumatised by the loss of her husband and, especially, her daughter. Thus, as one of the 'workers' on the island where the games are played, she risks her life to help one of the participants with a cancer-stricken child, too. Probably the most difficult situation parent-wise was when Geum-Ja joined the games without the knowledge of her son, Yong-Sik, because she wanted to support or even save him given how his massive debts spurred him to sign up to play as well. Finally, an arc which is brought forward from the first season, policeman Jun-Ho's pursuit of his long-lost brother In-Ho (the 'Front Man' of the games). When I reflected on my experience of the series, I noticed that the most moving parts for me were precisely these moments of family precariousness. There are many people in our own communities going through similar struggles and problems; to view such difficulties presented and played on the screen cannot help but add that extra all-critical 'spark' to such films. Any parent with a child struggling with poor health can easily relate to a character dangerously breaking rules to help another sick child. Likewise, we all can relate to the trauma of having intensely 'murderous' feelings towards our siblings whilst at the very same time being obsessed with their well-being. It's almost as if the horror of the Games mirrored the breakdown in the characters' family relations. Freud 102 I suppose we'll never understand why the film industry requires broken families for successful movies. But perhaps Freudian theory can help. Sigmund Freud suggested that we're all made up of a type of supra-biological DNA. As children, everybody had to negotiate our entrance into the world of law, order and norms. This transition, from childlike Paradise to an adult's world of rules 'screwed us up' psychically. We are all infected with a loss necessitated from 'growing up', it's a wound that never leaves us, a condition through which we experience the world. Now guess who are the first individuals we need to interact with in relation to this 'primordial' loss? Bingo. Our loved ones, the very first people we know aka family. So anything which reminds us of this loss and the people inextricably linked to it will 100 per cent grab our attention. Ditto, superhero movies and awesome TV shows about people getting shot because they can't stand still when the giant doll says Stop. There is something about family trauma and brokenness which 'endorses' a show's plot, granting it a kind of validity and 'urgency' which few other issues can provide. Even movies like Armageddon, Deep Impact and 2012 needed the frame of broken families to 'make sense' of global catastrophe; it's as if the world coming to an end just wasn't enough to spur the plot along! Does this all make sense? I think it's certainly worth reflecting on. Whatever the case, we're a long way from A Little House On The Prairie, aren't we? * This is the personal opinion of the columnist.

From fireflies to fruit farms: Why Kuala Selangor is the perfect weekend escape from KL
From fireflies to fruit farms: Why Kuala Selangor is the perfect weekend escape from KL

Malay Mail

time13 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

From fireflies to fruit farms: Why Kuala Selangor is the perfect weekend escape from KL

KUALA SELANGOR, July 7 — Located just about an hour's drive from the federal capital, Kuala Selangor is known not only as a seafood paradise and a popular spot to witness the enchanting fireflies at Kampung Kuantan, but also offers many other fascinating attractions. These include exciting activities such as watching eagles swoop down on food thrown to them by boatmen ferrying tourists along the Selangor River, exploring the historically rich Bukit Malawati and tasting fresh fruits at Selangor Fruit Valley. Traditional games museum Home to 44 types of traditional games, the building housing the museum at Bukit Malawati here is still intact in its original structure. It was built in 1904 and once served as the residence of an assistant engineer. Visitors can take a look at the various materials used for traditional games that were once popular around Selangor and other states, including a 40-year-old congkak, wau (traditional kite), shell checkers, batu seremban and tins. The entry fee is RM3 for Malaysian adults (free for children) and RM8 for non-citizens. Assistant Curator of the Kuala Selangor District Museum, Mohd Ismail Ramlan, gives a briefing on the Traditional Games Museum during a three-day, two-night media visit under Tourism Malaysia's Star Healing 2025 programme. — Bernama pic Assistant curator of the Kuala Selangor District Museum Mohd Ismail Ramlan said one of the highlights of the museum is a dedicated area where visitors can try out the games themselves, making it an interactive and fun experience for all ages. 'Visitors can play traditional games like congkak and others, which can be captured as memories during a visit to the Traditional Games Museum,' he said. The museum is open daily except Monday. Kuala Selangor mural street art This iconic alley in the old town of Kuala Selangor features about 20 mural artworks depicting stories of Bukit Malawati, which once served as a fortress during the reign of the Selangor Sultanate in the 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly during attacks by the Dutch. This iconic alley in Kuala Selangor features around 20 murals illustrating Bukit Malawati's role as a military stronghold during 18th- and early 19th-century Dutch invasions. — Bernama pic Visitors can spend about 30 minutes appreciating the colourful mural art as well as taking photographs as the location is highly Instagram-worthy. One particularly eye-catching mural is the depiction of 'Legenda Makam Anak Dara', said to be the story of a girl who mysteriously disappeared on the night of her wedding. Eagle feeding on Sungai Selangor Eagle feeding activities on Selangor River have become one of the main attractions in Pasir Penambang here. Eagles glide low over the water in Kuala Selangor, a popular spot for birdwatching and wildlife sightings. — Bernama pic A 30- to 45-minute boat ride along the river brings visitors close to the natural habitat of various eagle species, while offering breathtaking views of the river estuary. Among the unique species that can be spotted here are the Brahminy Kite and Black Kite. Ticket prices for this activity are RM25 and RM20 for Malaysian adults and children respectively; and RM50 and RM40 for non-Malaysian adults and children. Selangor Fruit Valley If you are visiting Kuala Selangor and looking for an agro-tourism experience that is educational and fun-filled, then stopping at the Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV) is a must. Located about 10 minutes from the main town, SFV is a tropical fruit and vegetable farm owned by the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation and has become one of the most popular agro-tourism attractions in the state. For an educational and fun agro-tourism experience in Kuala Selangor, Selangor Fruit Valley (SFV) is a must-visit on your itinerary. — Bernama pic Spanning 946 hectares, the area includes segments such as fruit and vegetable cultivation, animal farming and stingless bee rearing, as well as family-friendly agro-tourism facilities. Among the local fruits available here are coconut, guava, durian, ciku, mango, mangosteen and nangcem, a unique hybrid of jackfruit and cempedak. Visitors can also hop on a tram to tour the farm and enjoy the vast greenery — an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. — Bernama

BCF blends culture, tourism to boost local economy, says Tiong
BCF blends culture, tourism to boost local economy, says Tiong

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Borneo Post

BCF blends culture, tourism to boost local economy, says Tiong

Ting (seventh right) representing Tiong to officiate at BCF's Chinese Cultural Night, and joined by Wong (sixth right), Lau (eighth right) and others. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (July 6): Events like the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) not only facilitate cultural exchange but also help stimulate the local economy and tourism, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. According to Tiong, the annual festival attracts tourists, photographers, food lovers, and culture enthusiasts to Sibu, which in turn benefits sectors such as food and beverages (F&B), hospitality, transportation, and retail. 'The 2025 Borneo Cultural Festival carries the theme 'Rhythm of Borneo', and stands as a major cultural event in Sibu. The programme lineup, including the Chinese Night, Malay-Melanau Night, and Dayak Night, offers an immersive cultural experience through creative presentations. 'It fosters the sustainable inheritance of traditional culture—because culture is not a static exhibit; it lives on through the participation of generations,' Tiong said. Tiong's text-of-speech was read out by his special duties officer Agatha Ting, who represented him at the function. 'By embedding traditional culture into tourism products and services, we enhance the experience, uniqueness, and cultural value. Through such tourism products, traditional culture can become a signature industry, stimulate local economic growth, and offer diverse income opportunities for the people. 'Therefore, I encourage everyone to explore innovative ways to promote traditional culture – preserving its cultural essence while aligning with modern trends, aesthetics, new media promotion, and festival marketing such as this event.' The Bintulu MP was elated to note that many Chinese associations have enthusiastically participated by showcasing traditional delicacies. Visitors not only get to observe how these foods are made but can also taste and buy them—offering a wonderful platform for cultural exchange Also speaking at the event were Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and United Chinese Association (UCA) Sibu president Lau Ing Siong. Meanwhile, Tiong also announced a grant of RM50,000 to UCA Sibu through Ting. borneo cultural festival Tiong King Sing tourism

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store