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July 3, 2025
As July 5, 2025, draws near, Japan is confronting a wave of anxiety, not from an official warning, but from the pages of a manga published over two decades ago. Watashi ga Mita Mirai (The Future I Saw) by Ryo Tatsuki, a little-known 1999 publication, has resurfaced in public consciousness, reigniting fears of a massive tsunami due to an eerie prediction set for that exact date.
The manga gained notoriety after one of its entries appeared to predict the March 11, 2011, Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. That perceived foresight earned it cult-like attention. Now, a 2021 reprint of the manga includes a chilling new vision: an undersea rupture between Japan and the Philippines on July 5, 2025, causing a tsunami three times larger than the one in 2011 that killed over 18,000 people and devastated northeastern Japan.
Despite reassurances from scientists and government agencies, the impact of the prediction has already begun rippling across society—especially through disrupted tourism and growing public fear.
The Manga That Sparked the Fear
Watashi ga Mita Mirai is a compilation of prophetic dreams by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki. Though niche when first released, the manga drew attention for allegedly foreseeing real-world tragedies, most notably the 2011 disaster. The inclusion of that infamous March 11 date gave the book a sense of prophetic credibility, albeit unscientific.
Its 2021 reissue added a new forewarning of a disaster on July 5, 2025, describing a tectonic rupture in the ocean floor that would spawn a catastrophic tsunami affecting southwestern Japan. Though entirely fictional, the prediction has become viral on social media, prompting thousands of shares, discussions, and alarmist threads.
Experts Firmly Reject Prediction as “Unscientific”
Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) and top seismologists have publicly dismissed the manga’s claims. In repeated statements, the JMA emphasized that no scientific method exists to predict the date or time of earthquakes.
“There is no way, with today's science, to predict exactly when and where an earthquake will occur,” said Professor Sekiya Naoya from the University of Tokyo in a televised NHK interview.
Kimiro Meguro, an expert in disaster mitigation at the same university, added:
“This is not using a scientific approach to seismology. Rumors like this only make people nervous, and nervous crowds can present other dangers.”
Tourism and Economy Take a Hit
Despite expert reassurances, economic indicators suggest the manga's influence is real. Tourism, a critical sector for Japan’s post-pandemic recovery, is already showing signs of damage.
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¥560 billion ($3.9 billion): Estimated tourism revenue Japan risks losing if panic over the prediction continues, according to economist Takahide Kiuchi of Nomura Research Institute.
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30% drop: Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines reported a sharp decrease in bookings to Japan.
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50% cancellation rate: Tottori Prefecture, part of the potentially affected region, has seen a steep decline in bookings from East Asia.
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83% capacity: Overall airline traffic to Japan has dropped from normal levels.
“Interest in coming to Japan is waning. The impact of the rumor is undeniable,” said Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai.
Adding fuel to public concern, an earthquake in Myanmar in late March and a government report outlining worst-case Nankai Trough tsunami scenarios have only deepened unease. Even the Chinese embassy in Tokyo issued a travel advisory urging citizens to plan safety measures during July.
Local Officials Push Back Against “Manga-Driven Panic”
Multiple governors and prefectural authorities have spoken out against the growing panic. Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai remarked:
“It’s a major problem that information based on unscientific evidence is spreading on social media and impacting tourism.”
Tokushima Governor Masazumi Gotoda was even more direct:
“Earthquakes can occur anytime, anywhere, regardless of what a comic book says.”
Their concern is not unfounded. Local tourism offices have seen real losses tied directly to the viral nature of the prediction.
Social Media Amplifies the Hysteria
The July 5 prediction has gone viral, especially across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Weibo. Hashtags such as #July5Tsunami and #MangaPrediction2025 have trended in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Thousands of users have shared speculative videos, dream interpretations, and even survival checklists—despite lacking scientific evidence.
Complicating matters, a Hong Kong feng shui master also predicted a “large seismic event” between June and August, giving pseudo-credibility to the already fragile emotional landscape.
“Two really is the magic number that few—if any—earthquake predictors have managed to achieve,” said Bloomberg columnist Gearoid Reidy, commenting on the statistical improbability of such coincidences.
Conclusion
As July 5 approaches, Japan finds itself at the intersection of science and superstition. A fictional story has become a real-world stressor, affecting public mood and economic behavior. Whether July 5 brings calm seas or turbulent waves, the true test will be how society balances emotional reactions with scientific reasoning—and how quickly accurate information can rise above fear.