A Japanese manga, The Future I Saw, has caused widespread concern in Hong Kong by predicting a massive earthquake in Japan on July 5, 2025. Combined with official Japanese forecasts of an increased likelihood of a Nankai Trough earthquake, this has led to a significant drop in Hong Kong residents’ willingness to travel to Japan. Airlines have reduced flights to the country, and the issue gained enough attention to prompt a special report by Japan’s NHK.
The manga’s creator, 70-year-old Ryoju Tatsuki, addressed the growing anxiety in a written response to Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun. “I have always approached this matter objectively,” Tatsuki stated, viewing the public’s concern as a positive sign of increased disaster preparedness. “I hope this concern can translate into concrete safety measures and preparations,” he added. On the spread of the manga’s prophetic content, Tatsuki said interpretation should be left to the public but urged people to “refer to expert opinions, avoid being overly influenced by information, and act appropriately.”
Published in July 1999 by Asuka Shinsha, The Future I Saw recounts 11 prophetic dreams, with claims that 7.5 have already come true. It accurately predicted Japan’s 2011 Tohoku earthquake and now warns of a major earthquake on July 5, 2025, with an epicenter in the seas near Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The manga suggests this could trigger a massive tsunami, underwater crustal fractures, and the partial sinking of Japanese territory, potentially affecting Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
The prophecy has significantly impacted Hong Kong, where belief in feng shui and disaster predictions is common. Greater Bay Airlines announced a reduction in flights to Japan from mid-May to late October 2025, citing a sharp decline in travel demand due to these concerns.
Asuka Shinsha, the manga’s publisher, clarified that the book is based solely on the author’s prophetic dream experiences and is not intended to incite panic. The publisher echoed Tatsuki’s call for a measured response, urging the public to follow expert guidance and prepare cautiously for potential disasters.
Satoshi Kikuchi, director of the Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center at Shinshu University and a cognitive psychology professor, advised the public to verify information and think calmly. “Rather than reducing travel or outings, it’s more important to prepare for disasters in daily life and maintain normal routines,” Kikuchi emphasized.
The controversy surrounding The Future I Saw highlights the power of cultural narratives in shaping public behavior, particularly in regions sensitive to disaster predictions. While the manga’s prophecy has fueled fear, it has also sparked a broader conversation about disaster preparedness. As Tatsuki and experts suggest, the focus should shift from panic to proactive measures, ensuring that concern translates into meaningful action.