There is growing concern in Japan and across parts of Asia over a predicted disaster said to occur on July 5, 2025, but it’s important to clarify that this prediction stems from a manga comic book, not from scientific or governmental sources. The claim originated from the 1999 reprint of a 1991 manga titled “Watashi ga Mita Mirai” (“The Future I Saw”) by Ryo Tatsuki. In it, the author—dubbed the “Japanese Baba Vanga”—claimed to have foreseen a massive undersea earthquake near the Japan–Philippines trench that would trigger a devastating tsunami on July 5. The manga described this tsunami as being “three times bigger than the one in 2011,” which caused the Fukushima disaster. Since the manga correctly referenced past real events (like the 1995 Kobe earthquake and COVID-19), many people have taken this specific prophecy more seriously.
The situation gained traction in recent months due to a series of minor earthquakes in southern Japan and volcanic activity near the Kyūshū region. These natural occurrences have intensified public fears, even though Japan experiences hundreds of tremors every year. Social media has played a large role in spreading panic, with videos and posts warning people to avoid Japan on July 5. Some foreign airlines have reportedly reduced flights to southern Japan, and tourism has taken a hit—especially from places like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, where people are familiar with this viral story.
However, experts and authorities, including Japan’s Meteorological Agency, have made it clear that there is no scientific basis to this prophecy. Earthquake prediction is notoriously uncertain, and scientists have emphasized that no technology currently exists to pinpoint the exact date of an earthquake. The Japanese government has urged people to remain calm and continue their lives as normal while staying prepared—as Japan always recommends—given its seismic geography.
In summary, while the July 5 prophecy has stirred significant public anxiety and even impacted Japan’s tourism sector, there is no evidence to suggest a real disaster will occur on that date. It’s a viral myth based on speculative fiction—not science. Still, Japan remains one of the most disaster-prepared countries in the world, with strict building codes, early warning systems, and extensive public education about emergency readiness.