Japan Disaster Fear Grows as Manga Predicts July 2025 Crisis

A previously overlooked manga titled "The Future I Saw" (Watashi ga Mita Mirai) by Ryo Tatsuki has recently gained international attention for its unsettling prediction of a catastrophic natural disaster striking Japan in July 2025. The claim has led some travelers to reconsider visiting Japan this summer and has become viral across Japanese social media platforms. But why are people placing credibility in Tatsuki's vision? And how has an upcoming horror film become entangled in this growing concern?

The Prophetic Manga That Predicted 2011

Originally published in 1999, Tatsuki's manga features herself as a protagonist documenting precognitive dreams since 1985. The original cover art depicts Tatsuki's character covering one eye, surrounded by postcards referencing various visions - including one explicitly stating "March 2011: A Great Disaster." Following the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that coincidentally occurred that exact month, the manga gained newfound attention, with rare copies selling at premium prices.

The Complete Edition's Chilling Update

In 2021's "Complete Edition," Tatsuki introduced a new prediction: July 2025 would bring an even greater catastrophe - a tsunami three times larger than the 2011 disaster. Given her previous accurate mention of March 2011, this new warning quickly spread across Japanese social networks.

Impact on Tourism and Media Response

Reports indicate Tatsuki's prediction may be affecting Japan's tourism sector, particularly in Hong Kong where the translated manga circulates. Hong Kong Airlines canceled flights to Sendai (a city heavily impacted in 2011), while Greater Bay Airlines reduced services to Sendai and Tokushima. Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai dismissed these fears during an April press conference, criticizing the "unscientific basis" of social media rumors and encouraging travelers to visit unaffected.

When Fiction Blurs With Reality

The manga's resurgence aligns with the June 27 theatrical release of horror film "July 5 2025, 4:18 AM," which incorporates Tatsuki's prediction into its narrative. Some media mistakenly reported the film's title as Tatsuki's predicted disaster date, prompting publisher Asuka Shinsha to clarify: "The author never specified this exact date and time."

The Science Behind Japan's Earthquake Risks

While Tatsuki's prediction lacks scientific backing, it taps into legitimate concerns shared by seismologists. Research indicates a 70-80% probability of a Nankai Trough megaquake occurring within 30 years, potentially causing 300,000 casualties. The Japanese government updated its projected death toll estimates in March 2025. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency maintains that precise earthquake prediction remains impossible, labeling such claims as hoaxes.

Public and Author Responses

Japanese social media users have criticized the sensationalized coverage, with one commenter noting: "Believing manga prophecies is absurd - the Nankai quake could strike anytime." Tatsuki herself has responded to the attention, expressing hope that interest in her work might increase disaster preparedness while urging readers to "rely on expert advice rather than my visions" (Mainichi Shimbun).

With Japan being particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, Tatsuki's accurate 2011 mention may have been coincidental timing rather than prophecy. Nevertheless, the current discourse reflects understandable public anxiety about potential future catastrophes.