A peculiar trend has emerged recently: tourists are canceling trips to Japan—not because of weather forecasts or pandemic restrictions, but due to a prediction by manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, the so-called “new Baba Vanga.” According to her 2021 edition of The Future I Saw, a massive earthquake and tsunami could strike Japan around July 5, 2025. While Japan continues preparing scientifically for natural disasters, Tatsuki’s prophecy has inexplicably sparked widespread fear. But does this belief hold any weight?
In this blog, we’ll examine:
- Who Ryo Tatsuki is and why she’s called “new Baba Vanga”
- What her July prediction entails
- Real-world reactions: flight cancellations, tourism drops, official reassurances
- The difference between data-backed forecasting and viral prophecies
- Why panic based on unverified predictions is unproductive
- Steps travelers and residents should take instead
Who Is Ryo Tatsuki and Why the Buzz?
Ryo Tatsuki, a Japanese manga artist, first gained attention with her 1999 work The Future I Saw, which was reportedly based on her dream diaries . The manga resurfaced in 2021 in a reprint that claimed to predict:
- The great earthquake and tsunami in March 2011
- Several other major events happening after publication
Her confirmed successes led to comparisons with Baba Vanga—a celebrated mystic from Bulgaria. The 2021 edition added a new prophecy: a catastrophic undersea earthquake or rupture between Japan and the Philippines around July 5, 2025, generating a tsunami “three times larger” than 2011 .
What’s the Real Prediction for July 2025?
Tatsuki’s forecast is both dramatic and specific:
- A crack in the Philippine Sea floor
- A tsunami “three times higher” than the 2011 Tohoku wave
- Possible volcanic or tectonic triggers
This version has gone viral online, fueling anxiety and stirring news reports—not because of its evidence, but due to its vivid imagery and prior “successes.”
Tourism on Edge: Flight Cancellations & Booking Dips
The fallout has been dramatic in real life:
- Tourism from Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea fell sharply—some flight bookings dropped 50–83% between late June and early July .
- Airlines like Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay reduced or canceled Japan routes mid-summer .
- The Tottori and Tokushima prefectures recorded a 50% booking decline in spring season .
- Overall confidence in Japanese tourism remains strong—April saw record 3.9 million visitors—but the summer season is losing momentum .
Officials Push Back on Prophecy
Japanese authorities and experts have been swift to respond:
- The Japan Meteorological Agency and Cabinet Office reiterated that “earthquakes cannot be predicted by date or place” .
- Prefectural governors, including Miyagi’s Yoshihiro Murai and Tokushima’s Masazumi Gotoda, called the rumors “unscientific” and harmful to tourism .
- Seismology experts stressed that predicting earthquakes to a specific day is impossible with current technology .
Officials emphasized preparedness without panic—reminding that Japan’s elevated risk stems from tectonic plate data (especially around the Nankai Trough) and not prophecies .
Science vs Prediction: A Clear Divide
The table below highlights how scientific forecasting contrasts with prophetic claims:
| Aspect | Scientific Forecast | Tatsuki’s Prophetic Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Tectonic data, seismic models | Dream diary, anecdotal memory |
| Verification | Peer review, reproducibility | Post-event reinterpretation |
| Purpose | Preparation and public safety | Spiritual or emotional impact |
| Accountability | Transparent methods & critique | No audit trail, untraceable |
Why This Viral Prophecy Hurts More Than Helps
Panic driven by unverified claims leads to real-world damage:
- Economic loss: Tourism revenues drop; summer bookings fall; airlines reduce capacity .
- Misinformation spread: Online sensationalism fuels anxiety, distracting from official alerts and preparedness .
- Emotional stress: Both tourists and residents are destabilized by fear of the unknown.
- Distrust in real medicine & science: Overshadowing scientifically grounded readiness with unfounded claims undermines trust.
What You Should Do Instead
- Trust official sources only
- Maintain preparedness
- Indulge curiosity—don’t surrender reason
- Follow news from credible outlets, not rumor mills or vague predictions.
Final Word: Calm Beats Panic Every Time
Ryo Tatsuki’s July 5 prophecy makes for sensational headlines—but even the artist cautioned not to treat it as literal truth . Japan will continue dealing with seismic threats using engineering, science, and planning—not foreboding comics.
If the world has learned anything since 2011, it’s that disaster response must be rooted in facts and preparedness, not fear-based speculation.
So as July nears:
- Let science guide your decisions
- Book that trip if you planned one
- Feel free to experience the beauty of Japan—without giving in to panic
