Japan has been rocked by an alarming spike in seismic activity near the Kagoshima region, with over 1,000 earthquakes reported in the past two weeks. On July 3, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a red earthquake warning, intensifying public anxiety. Adding to the tension, a manga artist's "prediction" of a devastating earthquake on July 5, 2025, has gone viral, deterring tourists from visiting Japan during the summer months.
Seismic activity in Kagoshima
The Tokara Islands near Kagoshima have been the epicenter of continuous earthquake activity. At 4:13 p.m. local time on July 3, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake shook the area. Since June 21, the Japan Meteorological Agency has recorded over 1,000 tremors of magnitude 1 or higher. On June 23 alone, there were 183 earthquakes, although no tsunami warnings have been issued thus far.
The agency held an emergency press conference, stating it is unclear when the seismic activity will cease, urging local residents to stay vigilant and prepare for immediate evacuation if necessary. The Tokara Islands, consisting of 12 islands (seven of which are inhabited), have a total population of approximately 700 people.
The recent 5.5-magnitude quake caused significant damage on the small island of Kodakarajima. The local school, Kodakarajima Gakuen, reported a 10-meter-long crack in its playground, while landslides and falling rocks were observed in multiple locations. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
On Akusekijima, another nearby island, sleepless nights due to aftershocks have prompted some residents to consider evacuating. A local inn owner stated that frequent aftershocks have led to widespread cancellations of bookings.
Manga prediction sparks fear among tourists
Manga artist Ryo Tatsuki's work "The Future I Saw" has caused widespread panic. In the first edition of the manga, Tatsuki "predicted" a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami on July 5, 2025, claiming the "boiling" ocean would generate waves three times the size of those seen during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Tatsuki's earlier prediction of the March 11, 2011 disaster has added credibility to her claims in the eyes of some.
As the date approaches, coupled with ongoing earthquakes in Kagoshima, fears have surged among international tourists. Data from ForwardKeys shows a sharp 83% drop in weekly bookings for Japan by tourists from Hong Kong between late June and early July. Japan's record-breaking tourist numbers in April, which reached 3.9 million, began declining in May, with HK tourist arrivals down by 11% year-on-year.
Despite Tatsuki's recent clarification that her manga was a "fictional work driven by the publisher" and that she is "not a prophet," the rumors have already taken a toll on Japan's tourism industry. A HK travel agency reported a significant drop in Japan-related bookings, with some clients delaying trips until September.
Expert opinions: No scientific basis for predictions
Seismologists have dismissed the "July 5 earthquake prediction" as baseless. Hisayoshi Yokose, a marine volcanology expert at Kumamoto University, stated that the Tokara Islands earthquake could not have any impact on distant areas. Even if an earthquake does occur in the future, the fact that an earthquake happened in the Tokara Islands beforehand is simply due to the region's natural high seismic activity. Furthermore, this earthquake is different from plate-boundary earthquakes, so it is also unrelated to a potential Nankai Trough megathrust earthquake.
As for the rumor of a "major earthquake on July 5," Yokose commented, "I believe this is a completely baseless rumor without any scientific foundation." University of Tokyo professor Geller also stated that even scientifically based earthquake predictions are "impossible" to achieve with such precision. "In my academic career, there has never been a single prediction that came close to reality," he added.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao)
Related News:
Manga sparks panic over predicted 'July 5 megaquake' in Japan, creator says nothing certain
'July 5 megaquake' prediction in Japanese manga sparks panic: Author urges rationality
Comment