Earthquake fear grips Japan: 'Baba Vanga' prediction sparks online frenzy | Here's what scientists say

The manga artist who has prophesied a superquake in Japan on July 5

Japan is gripped by fear of a potential mega-earthquake and tsunami on July 5, a date predicted by Ryo Tatsuki, dubbed as "Japanese Baba Vanga."

Tatsuki's predictions stem from dreams detailed in her popular manga, "Watashi ga Mita Mirai, Kanzenban" (The Future That I Saw, Complete Edition), first published in 1999.

The book gained widespread attention over the years due to seemingly accurate references to past events, including the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and the 1995 Kobe earthquake.

The prediction of a major earthquake or tsunami hitting Japan on July 5 has triggered panic among netizens, leading to tourist cancellations and travel disruptions, as many genuinely fear the prophecy will come true.

Notably, a small island in southern Japan has recently recorded over 1,000 tremors in a week.

Now the question arises: Is a megaquake or massive tsunami really going to hit Japan?

What scientists are saying? 

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has strongly dismissed the notion that earthquakes can be predicted with precise dates, times, or locations. In a statement to the Associated Press last month, the agency described such forecasts as “a hoax" and “disinformation."

Seismologists explain that although some significant earthquakes, like the 2011 disaster, were preceded by smaller tremors known as foreshocks, these are infrequent and not considered reliable predictors. A Bloomberg report further noted that foreshocks appear in only a small fraction of cases about once in several hundred.

Even Ryo Tatsuki has responded to the speculation. According to Reuters, she stated she is “not a prophet" and urged the public not to be “overly swayed" by her dreams but instead to “act appropriately based on expert opinions."

While her claims lack scientific validation, they have stirred considerable concern on social media and reignited conversations around disaster readiness. Authorities have not supported her predictions but continue to base policy on geological and seismological assessments.

Japanese Baba Vanga and predictions 

Ryo Tatsuki’s Watashi ga Mita Mirai is often dubbed a “prophetic manga” by fans, who believe it predicted major global events such as the deaths of Princess Diana and Freddie Mercury, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her reputation for accuracy has led to comparisons with the late Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga, known for foreseeing events like the 9/11 attacks, the rise of ISIS, and Barack Obama’s election.

The manga drew widespread attention after the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, as its cover published over a decade earlier mentioned a “massive disaster in March 2011.”

Fans believe many of Tatsuki’s predictions, drawn from her dreams and illustrated in her manga, have materialized in real life.

Whether it comes to pass or not, it's having an effect on air travel in Japan.

The Future That I Saw 👁️
Japanese Comic Predicts Massive Disaster for July 2025 (July 5, 2025 at 4:18 a.m.)

Retired comic artist Ryo Tatsuki claims that she has been having prophetic dreams for… pic.twitter.com/WJ6eqOdF8P

— UFO CHRONICLES PODCAST🎙️𝕏 (@UFOchronpodcast) July 3, 2025

The forecast has gone viral, especially in East Asia, sparking widespread online chatter in countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and South Korea.

On X (formerly Twitter), many users have connected the manga’s prediction to rising anxiety about a potential Nankai Trough megaquake.

Came across this online 🤔

July 5, 2025 - Today marks the date foretold by Ryo Tatsuki in her 2021 manga The Future I Saw. Dubbed the "New Baba Vanga," Tatsuki predicted a significant disaster on this very day. While the specifics remain unknown, her history of accurate… pic.twitter.com/iVr6UxHVpQ

— TechVagabond (@TheVagabond7) July 5, 2025

Nankai Trough Megaquake

While social media buzzes with fictional claims, scientists have long warned of a real threat a potential megaquake in Japan due to its location on the seismically active “Ring of Fire.”

Authorities are particularly concerned about a possible magnitude 9 quake along the Nankai Trough, with an 80% chance of occurring before 2055, which could cause massive devastation.