How a Manga's "Doomsday" Spooked Japan-Bound Travelers

A viral manga prediction about a disaster in Japan on July 5, 2025, set off a wave of anxiety among travelers—especially in Hong Kong—leading to canceled flights and slumping bookings. Now that doomsday has come and gone uneventfully, we look at the surprising ways one comic strip shook up travel plans and what it means for would-be visitors eyeing Japan’s return to normal.

When Fiction Gets Too Real: The Saga of Japan's “Doomsday” Prediction

Can a comic book really change the way people travel? This summer, some travelers—and airlines—found out the answer was a resounding yes.

The Rumor That Rocked Travel Plans

It started with The Future I Saw, a manga first published in 1999 and reissued in 2021. The comic, which had eerily referenced Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, was reinterpreted by fans online as predicting another catastrophic event on July 5, 2025. Even though creator Ryo Tatsuki made it clear she’s not a prophet, rumors went wild on social media (especially in Hong Kong), sparking jitters among would-be tourists.

Planes Grounded, Plans Derailed

Bookings Plunged: Airlines like Greater Bay canceled flights to Japan after demand evaporated. Hong Kong Airlines cut their Japan service too.
Travel Agencies Felt the Pinch: Even with discounts and insurance thrown in, some Hong Kong travel agencies said business was slashed by half. Arrivals from Hong Kong dropped 11% in May 2025 compared to last year.
Science vs. Superstition: Seismologists and official agencies in Japan stressed that predicting earthquakes is, well, impossible. Still, nervous travelers decided to wait it out.

Silver Linings: Less Crowds, Bigger Opportunities

Room to Roam: The dip in visitor numbers may mean fewer crowds and better travel deals for those still willing to visit Japan.
Thinking Critically: On a brighter note, the manga-mania also pushed more people to rely on facts over fiction when it comes to travel safety and disaster prep.

Now That "Doomsday" Passed—What’s Next?

July 5, 2025, came and went with no disaster. The panic, it seems, is starting to fade. Japan’s tourism industry expects travelers who put plans on pause to return soon, and industry watchers are hoping this serves as a lesson: rumors may go viral, but facts still matter when making travel decisions.