Several prophecies predicting a catastrophic earthquake in Japan during July have recently resurfaced, sending shockwaves over global online communities and leading to a noticeable decline in tourist activity and the postponement of travel plans.
According to a report from Japan's public broadcaster NHK, rumors of an earthquake occurring on July 5 were initially brought to light by a Japanese YouTuber. This prompted a wave of content creators to produce sensational videos that gained attention.
It is reported that a surge of videos regarding the prophecies have been noticed this year, accumulating over 100 million views.
Common themes in the videos include natural disasters likely to occur in Japan this July, such as meteorite falls, earthquakes along the Nankai megathrust, and volcanic eruptions. Additionally, more than 50 related videos have been uploaded on TikTok, garnering over 40 million views.
While rumors have spread in various languages, the report noted a significant increase in videos from traditional Chinese-speaking regions, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong, with 220 YouTube videos receiving more than 22 million views by the end of last year.
'The future I Saw'
The rumors trace back to a Japanese comic book titled "The Future I Saw," which anticipated the 2011 Japan 311 earthquake.
The book predicts that Japan will face another major catastrophe on July 5, 2025, potentially impacting neighboring areas such as the Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
Moreover, the earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 has heightened public concern, aligning with predictions from Thai fortune teller Mor Plai, who foretold an earthquake in Japan between July and August, along with a volcanic eruption near Japan and Indonesia, which could affect Mount Fuji.
In response to the escalating rumors, the Japanese government and local officials have refuted the claims, with the Japan Meteorological Agency stating that predictions about when and where an earthquake will occur lack scientific basis.
Chinese Embassy in Japan warns of possible earthquakes
However, the Chinese Embassy issued an advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant and take precautions against potential earthquake risks along the Nankai Trough in mid-April.
This comes after a Japanese government report released on March 31 estimated that up to 298,000 people could die in a megaquake occurring in the Nankai Trough.
The Embassy recommended that travelers and students carefully plan their visits to Japan and be cautious about property investment in the country.
Decrease in flights from Hong Kong
Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG has reported a decline in bookings for trips to Japan since February, with Easter holiday bookings in April reaching only half of last year's figures.
The agency pointed out that many travelers are opting for alternative destinations like Australia or Dubai for this summer.
Despite introducing direct flights between Tokushima and Hong Kong last November, the Greater Bay Airlines has announced a reduction in flights from three to two starting in May.
Additionally, there are rumors suggesting that flights between Hong Kong and various Japanese cities, including Sendai, Fukuoka, and Sapporo, have been cut.
