Japan’s government issued a warning on Saturday about the possibility of further strong earthquakes in the waters southwest of its main islands, following a series of recent tremors in the region. Officials urged the public to rely on scientific information and not to give in to panic or rumors predicting a major catastrophe.
The government emphasized that, while seismic activity continues, it is not possible to accurately forecast when or where the next big quake will strike.
Over 1,000 Tremors Spark Evacuations and Rumors Fueled by Viral Manga Prediction
Authorities evacuated some residents from remote islands near the epicenter of a 5.5-magnitude earthquake off Kyushu’s southern tip on Friday. This was one of over 1,000 tremors recorded in Kagoshima Prefecture in just two weeks. The Thursday quake, which was strong enough to make standing difficult, was followed by another 5.4-magnitude quake on Saturday, intensifying concerns and prompting further public communications from experts.
Japan Warns of Ongoing Quake Risk as Viral Manga Fuels Unfounded Disaster FearsThe wave of earthquakes coincided with a viral rumor stemming from a Japanese comic book, which some readers claim predicted a major disaster in Japan this month. The manga, The Future I Saw, has drawn public attention, particularly after it was linked online to the recent seismic activity.
Ayataka Ebita of the Japan Meteorological Agency stressed that such predictions lack scientific basis, reminding people that earthquakes cannot yet be precisely forecasted.
Tourism Dips Amid Earthquake Rumors Fueled by Manga Misinterpretation and Public Fear
The rumors have already begun to affect Japan’s tourism industry. Notably, the number of travelers arriving from Hong Kong—where the manga-based prediction has gained significant traction—dropped by 11% in May compared to the previous year. This dip contrasts with Japan’s overall tourism trend, which has otherwise been strong, with April marking a record 3.9 million visitors in a single month.
Ryo Tatsuki, the creator of the manga at the center of the rumors, issued a statement through her publisher, clarifying that she is “not a prophet.” Originally published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, The Future I Saw was never intended to be taken as a predictive text.
Meanwhile, officials continue to emphasize Japan’s vulnerability to earthquakes due to its location in one of the world’s most seismically active zones, responsible for about 20% of global quakes of magnitude 6 or higher.