Japan is taking steps to restore the confidence of foreign travelers who have been deterred by a cataclysmic earthquake prophecy described by the manga "The Future I Saw."
The comic book, published by Ryo Tatsuki in 1999, warns of an earthquake occurring on July 5 of this year, with an epicenter between Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Hong Kong travelers' fears have been heightened since the manga also predicted an earthquake would happen in March 2011, coinciding with a major quake that struck Japan's Tohoku region that month.
According to NHK, the Japan National Tourism Organization's Hong Kong office is urging travelers to disregard rumors about the dates and locations of the earthquake "prophecy," emphasizing that such claims lack a scientific basis.
It also reported that the number of visitors from Hong Kong in April increased by over 40 percent compared to the same period last year, driven by the launch of new flight routes and multiple public holidays.
In addition, the office advised visitors to refer to information released by official agencies when planning their trips and assured that they will continue their efforts to provide accurate information.
(Judy Cui)
