Japan's tourism industry takes a hit amid predictions of major natural disaster in July 2025

Japan Tourism Drops Amid July 2025 Disaster Prediction

Japan’s globally celebrated tourism sector, renowned for its blend of ancient culture and futuristic innovation, is witnessing an unexpected slump. The sharp dip in international tourist interest comes in the wake of unsettling predictions about a natural disaster potentially striking in July 2025.

According to a CNN report, the current wave of concern has been triggered by renowned Japanese manga artist and self-proclaimed prophet Ryo Tatsuki. Sometimes referred to as Japan’s “new Baba Vanga,” Tatsuki has previously predicted catastrophic events including the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the 2011 Tohoku disaster, and even the death of rock legend Freddie Mercury. Her ominous warning was first published in her 1999 book The Future I Saw and was reiterated in a 2021 revised edition.

In the updated version, Tatsuki envisions an undersea rupture between Japan and the Philippines that could trigger tsunamis three times more powerful than those witnessed in 2011. She also mentions ocean waters "boiling"—a phrase that some interpret as a reference to a potential underwater volcanic eruption. The predicted impact zone includes a diamond-shaped area that encompasses Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands—regions known for intense seismic activity.

These claims have sparked a wave of fear, not just from Tatsuki’s followers but also among other psychics from Japan and Hong Kong, many of whom have issued similar warnings in recent months. The resulting anxiety has had tangible effects: Travel agencies across Asia are reporting mass cancellations. Hong Kong-based WWPKG noted a 50% drop in bookings to Japan during the recent Easter holidays.

“Concerns over Tatsuki’s prediction have been amplified by recent advisories from the Chinese embassy in Tokyo,” said CN Yuen, Managing Director of WWPKG, in an interview with CNN. In April, the Chinese embassy urged its citizens in Japan to remain alert and prepare for natural calamities, citing a spate of recent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Despite the public anxiety, experts have cautioned against jumping to conclusions. Seismologists maintain that pinpointing the exact time and place of earthquakes remains scientifically unfeasible. Still, Japan’s vulnerability is well-known—it sits on the Ring of Fire, one of the most active seismic zones in the world.

As July 2025 approaches, tourism operators are bracing for further setbacks. While Japan continues to offer unmatched cultural, urban, and natural experiences, uncertainty sparked by apocalyptic predictions may keep a significant number of travellers at bay—for now.