Hong Kong tourists are postponing or cancelling their summer trips to Japan due to fears sparked by a comic book prophecy predicting a natural disaster on July 5, 2025. The graphic novel, published four years ago, claimed that Japan would suffer an unspecified disaster around the date. While some interpret the warning as a volcanic disruption or tsunami, many assume it refers to a long-predicted earthquake.
Japan is still expected to receive record numbers of tourists this summer, with a 21.5% increase in May compared to last year. However, travel agents in Hong Kong have reported a significant drop in demand since March, despite efforts by the Japanese government to reassure anxious travellers.
The fears are attributed to a comic book written by Ryo Tatsuki, which predicted a catastrophe around July 5, 2025. Some feng shui masters in Hong Kong have also warned of natural disasters in Japan this year. In contrast, Japan’s Meteorological Agency has dismissed such predictions as “a hoax” and stated that it is impossible to predict the exact date, time, location, and size of an earthquake.
Despite the uncertainty, some Hongkongers are taking advantage of cheaper airfare to visit Japan. The drop in demand has also led to a reduction in flight frequencies and prices for packaged tours.
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/5ca2e67f-736d-408e-aa8b-0d74f236f065