Viral Manga Prediction Sparks Panic and Economic Loss for Japan's Tourism Industry

The viral prediction has significantly impacted Japan's tourism industry, with many foreign tourists, especially from Asian markets, canceling their trips to Japan. Some airlines have reduced their flights to Japan due to decreased visitor numbers, and Chinese travelers, who are a crucial source of tourism revenue for Japan, have been particularly affected. The Japanese government has been actively working to calm fears and urge foreign tourists to remain rational in their response to these unsubstantiated predictions.

The manga artist, Ryuju Ryo, is a 70-year-old Japanese author who wrote the book '我所看到的未来' (The Future I Saw) and made the controversial prediction about a major earthquake and tsunami occurring in Japan on July 5, 2025. She later urged people not to take her predictions too seriously and to refer to expert opinions instead. The Japanese government and the Japan Meteorological Agency have officially denounced the prediction, stating it has no scientific basis.

The controversy has reportedly caused significant economic impact, with Japan's tourism industry suffering losses estimated at $4 billion due to cancellations. The sharp decline in tourist bookings, particularly from key Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, has led to airlines reducing flight frequencies to Japan. The direct negative impact on local businesses and tourism-dependent sectors has been substantial.

The situation highlights the powerful role of social media in shaping public perception and behavior, as well as the vulnerability of tourism to viral rumors and misinformation. It also reveals persistent superstitious beliefs influencing travel decisions in Asian markets and exposes the tension between Japan's seismic transparency and tourism stability. The past trauma of the 2011 earthquake has also affected current risk perception, making the public more susceptible to such predictions.

The Japanese government has been forced to officially address and debunk the predictions, raising questions about regulatory oversight of viral content. The challenge lies in balancing public safety communication with economic stability. The incident serves as a case study in how digital misinformation can have tangible economic consequences and challenges modern societies face in managing the intersection of social media, tourism, and public safety concerns.

The timeline of the controversy began when the Japanese manga artist made the prediction, which then went viral on social media platforms, causing widespread concern and panic among international tourists. Many foreign tourists began canceling their trips to Japan, and airlines reduced the number of flights to Japan due to decreased visitor numbers. Despite the debunking efforts, the tourism industry continues to be affected, with some airlines already reducing flight frequencies to Japan. The Japanese embassy has issued statements addressing the situation, and travel agencies and tourism businesses need to develop crisis communication strategies to manage disaster-related tourism concerns.