As over 1,000 tremors hit Kagoshima in two weeks, Japan’s Meteorological Agency warns of continued seismic activity—but dismisses viral comic book “predictions” of a July catastrophe.
July-5, 2025: Japan’s government issued a fresh warning on Saturday regarding the possibility of more strong earthquakes in the southwestern waters near Kyushu, following a string of tremors that have shaken the region over the past two weeks. However, officials urged the public to rely on science—not superstition—in the face of viral doomsday rumors sparked by a decades-old manga prediction.
Also Read: Panic in Japan as 1,000 Earthquakes Hit in Two Weeks Amid ‘Doomsday’ Vanga Prediction
On Friday, authorities evacuated some residents from remote islands near Akuseki, following a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that struck on Thursday. That quake was powerful enough to make standing difficult and was part of a series of over 1,000 tremors recorded in the Kagoshima prefecture recently.
Another 5.4-magnitude quake rocked the same area on Saturday, adding to public anxiety.
📉 Rumors Trigger Travel Drop Amid Comic Book “Prediction”
Public unease has been fanned by a manga titled “The Future I Saw”, first published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, which some have interpreted as predicting a disastrous earthquake in July 2025. The manga’s creator, Ryo Tatsuki, responded to the controversy in a statement via her publisher:
“I am not a prophet.”
Despite her denial, the rumors have had real-world effects. Tourist arrivals from Hong Kong—where the doomsday theory gained viral traction—fell by 11% in May compared to last year, according to recent tourism data.
Also Read: Cities to Sink into the Sea: ‘New Baba Vanga’s’ Chilling Prediction
This is in stark contrast to the broader trend, with Japan recording an all-time high of 3.9 million visitors in April 2025.
🧪 Experts Push Back: “Base Understanding on Scientific Evidence”
Officials are urging citizens to remain alert but not to panic. Ayataka Ebita, director of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Earthquake and Tsunami Monitoring Division, addressed the rumors in a press briefing:
“With our current scientific knowledge, it’s difficult to predict the exact time, place, or scale of an earthquake. We ask that people base their understanding on scientific evidence.”
🌍 Seismic Reality in Japan
Japan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, making it one of the most seismically active countries in the world. It experiences around 20% of all earthquakes globally with magnitudes 6.0 or higher.
Preparedness is ingrained in the country’s infrastructure and disaster response system, but social media-fueled hysteria has added a layer of complexity to crisis management.
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Japan earthquake, Kagoshima tremors, manga earthquake prediction, The Future I Saw, Japan tourism, Ryo Tatsuki, seismic activity Japan, Kyushu earthquake, Japan Meteorological Agency, earthquake rumors