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South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Surge in Hongkongers visiting Japan expected after manga ‘megaquake' fears fade
Hongkongers' enthusiasm for visiting Japan is expected to rebound 'explosively' in the coming days and months after fears of a 'megaquake' predicted in a manga proved unfounded, an industry leader has said. Advertisement Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said on Monday that rumours of a July 5 earthquake had earlier caused significant concern among some Hongkongers. Many residents had shelved trips to Japan, leading to a sharp decline in tour group bookings. He said his agency normally hosted 10 daily tour groups to Japan each with 25 to 30 members during the July summer holiday, but on Saturday only three set off, with about 10 people in each. Huen said some Hongkongers were particularly affected by the quake prediction. 'Some media outlets in Hong Kong have been hardworking and reported [on the quake fears] daily,' he said. 'Even people who initially didn't believe it ended up being convinced.' Advertisement He described the situation as 'the darkest hour before dawn'. But with the earthquake rumours dispelled, interest in travel to the country had bounced back 'in an explosive surge'.
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GMA Network
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Manga doomsday prediction spooks tourists to Japan
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% 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. 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 on Wednesday 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
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction
Rumors about an impending natural disaster, sparked by an old comic book, have hit Japan's tourism boom, leading some airlines to suspend flights to the country. Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines is one of them, announcing an indefinite suspension of flights to Tokushima on Wednesday. This follows the viral spread of predictions linked to a manga depicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, reportedly foreseen for July 2025, according to Japan Today. The downturn underscores how digital-era rumors can disrupt real-world economies by influencing consumer behavior-here, curbing a significant boom in Japan's tourism sector. Japan logged an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travelers in April 2025 before arrivals fell in May, particularly from Hong Kong, where superstition over the manga's forecast drove an 11 percent year-on-year drop, according to the most recent data cited by Japan Today. Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours said the warnings circulating on social media "had a significant impact," halving his agency's Japan bookings. With tourism central to many regions' economies, persistent fears threaten both travel patterns and business revenues, despite reassurances from scientists and even the manga's creator. Where the Trend Came From The trend originated from a manga titled The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. First published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, the comic's initial edition referenced a major natural disaster in March 2011-the month Japan endured a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan's northeast. Some readers now claim the latest edition predicts a new catastrophe specifically on July 5, 2025, sparking waves of alarm on social media in Hong Kong and neighboring Asian territories, Reuters reports. How Superstition and Social Media Amplified the Impact In Hong Kong, where fears about the prediction gained the most traction, some agencies reported dramatic reductions in Japan-bound travel. Steve Huen of EGL Tours stated that bookings had halved, only sustained by steep discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance. "The rumors have had a significant impact," Huen said. Effect on Travel and Flight Cancellations Greater Bay Airlines announced that it would suspend its service to Tokushima, western Japan, from September, citing insufficient demand. Other carriers signaled similar moves. The trend was especially pronounced among travelers from Hong Kong, with Japanese government statistics confirming an 11 percent decrease in arrivals from the region in May compared with the previous year, according to Reuters. Creator and Scientific Reaction Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, issued a statement through her publisher denying she was a prophet and downplaying interpretations of her work. "I am not a prophet," Tatsuki said. Seismologist Robert Geller from the University of Tokyo told Reuters that even scientifically-based earthquake prediction was "impossible." "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all," Geller said. He emphasized accurate earthquake prediction remains scientifically impossible. Japan's Earthquake Risk in Context Japan, positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces frequent seismic activity. Over 900 minor earthquakes have hit islands off Kyushu's southern tip in recent days. However, scientific authorities stressed there is no credible basis for the July 2025 disaster forecast, according to Reuters. Continued Demand and Adjustments Despite the anxiety, some travelers continue to visit. Serena Peng, a Seattle resident visiting Tokyo, described having initial doubts after seeing online speculation but ultimately continuing with her trip. "I'm not super worried right now, but I was before," Peng said outside Tokyo's Senso-ji temple. Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours, said: "The rumors have had a significant impact…Japan-related business halve[d]. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance…prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero." Branden Choi, a traveler from Hong Kong, said: "If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September." University of Tokyo seismologist Robert Geller said: "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all." Airlines and tour companies are expected to continue monitoring booking trends and adjust schedules as traveler sentiment evolves. Japanese tourism officials and industry stakeholders have ramped up efforts to reassure visitors of their safety, emphasizing reassurances by scientists. Related Articles US Allies Plan To Flex Aircraft Carrier Muscles Near ChinaMap Tracks US Coast Guard Missions Near ChinaAmerica Has A New Type Of MillionaireUS Ally Detects Chinese Military Near Coast: Photos 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rumors about an impending natural disaster, sparked by an old comic book, have hit Japan's tourism boom, leading some airlines to suspend flights to the country. Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines is one of them, announcing an indefinite suspension of flights to Tokushima on Wednesday. This follows the viral spread of predictions linked to a manga depicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, reportedly foreseen for July 2025, according to Japan Today. Why It Matters The downturn underscores how digital-era rumors can disrupt real-world economies by influencing consumer behavior—here, curbing a significant boom in Japan's tourism sector. Japan logged an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travelers in April 2025 before arrivals fell in May, particularly from Hong Kong, where superstition over the manga's forecast drove an 11 percent year-on-year drop, according to the most recent data cited by Japan Today. What To Know Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours said the warnings circulating on social media "had a significant impact," halving his agency's Japan bookings. With tourism central to many regions' economies, persistent fears threaten both travel patterns and business revenues, despite reassurances from scientists and even the manga's creator. Where the Trend Came From The trend originated from a manga titled The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. First published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, the comic's initial edition referenced a major natural disaster in March 2011—the month Japan endured a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan's northeast. Some readers now claim the latest edition predicts a new catastrophe specifically on July 5, 2025, sparking waves of alarm on social media in Hong Kong and neighboring Asian territories, Reuters reports. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. AP How Superstition and Social Media Amplified the Impact In Hong Kong, where fears about the prediction gained the most traction, some agencies reported dramatic reductions in Japan-bound travel. Steve Huen of EGL Tours stated that bookings had halved, only sustained by steep discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance. "The rumors have had a significant impact," Huen said. Effect on Travel and Flight Cancellations Greater Bay Airlines announced that it would suspend its service to Tokushima, western Japan, from September, citing insufficient demand. Other carriers signaled similar moves. The trend was especially pronounced among travelers from Hong Kong, with Japanese government statistics confirming an 11 percent decrease in arrivals from the region in May compared with the previous year, according to Reuters. Creator and Scientific Reaction Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, issued a statement through her publisher denying she was a prophet and downplaying interpretations of her work. "I am not a prophet," Tatsuki said. Seismologist Robert Geller from the University of Tokyo told Reuters that even scientifically-based earthquake prediction was "impossible." "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all," Geller said. He emphasized accurate earthquake prediction remains scientifically impossible. Japan's Earthquake Risk in Context Japan, positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces frequent seismic activity. Over 900 minor earthquakes have hit islands off Kyushu's southern tip in recent days. However, scientific authorities stressed there is no credible basis for the July 2025 disaster forecast, according to Reuters. Continued Demand and Adjustments Despite the anxiety, some travelers continue to visit. Serena Peng, a Seattle resident visiting Tokyo, described having initial doubts after seeing online speculation but ultimately continuing with her trip. "I'm not super worried right now, but I was before," Peng said outside Tokyo's Senso-ji temple. What People Are Saying Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours, said: "The rumors have had a significant impact…Japan-related business halve[d]. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance…prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero." Branden Choi, a traveler from Hong Kong, said: "If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September." University of Tokyo seismologist Robert Geller said: "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all." What Happens Next Airlines and tour companies are expected to continue monitoring booking trends and adjust schedules as traveler sentiment evolves. Japanese tourism officials and industry stakeholders have ramped up efforts to reassure visitors of their safety, emphasizing reassurances by scientists.
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Manga doomsday prediction spooks tourists to Japan
TOKYO/HONG KONG: 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% 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. 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.
