Japan Braces for 'Doomsday' as Apocalyptic Prophecy Looms

As the predicted "2025年7月5日大灾难" (July 5, 2025, disaster) approaches, Japan is experiencing a mix of reactions. The prophecy, which claims a tsunami three times larger than the 2011 Tohoku earthquake will occur, has raised concerns among the Japanese public, despite being widely questioned by the scientific community. The book, first published in 1999, gained popularity after its predictions of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake were seemingly fulfilled. The 2021 revised edition, titled "完全版" (Complete Edition), included new prophecies, including the predicted disaster on July 5, 2025.

The book describes a catastrophic scenario where the seafloor in southern Japan ruptures, triggering a massive tsunami that could affect Pacific rim countries, with waves reaching heights approximately three times those of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In response to the prophecy, sales of disaster prevention products have increased, and some airlines have quietly reduced flights to Japan, while the number of people traveling out of the country has risen. A spokesperson for Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism confirmed this trend.

Some individuals have taken precautions, with a well-known radio writer planning to take his son out of Tokyo on the predicted day, stating, "Regardless of whether it's true or not, I'll be taking my son out of Tokyo on the 5th." His producer, who initially rejected the idea of discussing the prophecy on air, privately confessed to planning a family trip starting from July 4. Meanwhile, everyday life in Japan continues as usual, with some netizens sharing their plans for the day, including going to work as usual or waiting with their pets on the streets at 4 am.

The Japanese government and experts have repeatedly emphasized that there is no scientific basis for the prophecy, and have urged the public to remain calm and focus on disaster preparedness rather than specific date predictions. The Japanese Meteorological Agency has stated that the current global seismic activity is in a "quiet period," with no indication of a massive earthquake occurring in the near future. Ryushin Taki has clarified in her recent work that she did not intend to cause panic and that the date mentioned in her book is not necessarily the day the disaster will occur.

As the predicted doomsday draws near, the Japanese public's reaction to the prophecy is mixed. Some have chosen to take their families on trips, while others continue with their daily routines, attending work as usual. There are also those who plan to wait for the apocalypse on the streets. Some citizens have taken to social media to share their plans for the supposed final day. The Japanese government and experts have repeatedly emphasized that there is no scientific basis for the prophecy and have urged the public to focus on disaster prevention rather than believing in specific date predictions.

The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has confirmed the trend of increased departures from Japan, but TV stations have refused to discuss the matter, citing the need to avoid triggering public panic. The director of the Japanese Meteorological Agency, Ryuuichi Nomura, emphasized that while Japan is a seismically active country, it is impossible to accurately predict the occurrence of a massive earthquake on a specific date. He urged foreign tourists to remain calm and rational in their response to the prophecy. As the clock ticks down to July 5, the Japanese government and experts continue to monitor the situation, while the public remains on edge, wondering what the future holds.