Japan’s government issued a Japan earthquake warning on Saturday, alerting the public to the possibility of more strong tremors in waters southwest of its main islands. However, officials also urged people not to believe viral, unscientific predictions of a major disaster.
On Thursday, a 5.5-magnitude quake struck near the southern tip of Kyushu, strong enough to make standing difficult. As a result, authorities evacuated some residents from nearby remote islands in Kagoshima Prefecture.
Over the past two weeks, more than 1,000 tremors have rattled the area. Consequently, public fear has intensified, especially due to a manga that some interpret as predicting a massive earthquake in July 2025.
“With our current scientific knowledge, it’s difficult to predict the exact time, place, or scale of an earthquake,” said Ayataka Ebita, director of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s earthquake and tsunami monitoring division. Therefore, he encouraged people to rely on scientific evidence rather than speculation.
His comments came after a 5.4-magnitude quake shook the region again on Saturday. Meanwhile, false predictions from social media continued to gain attention abroad.
The manga The Future I Saw, created by Ryo Tatsuki, was first released in 1999 and reissued in 2021. Interestingly, some readers claim it foretells a disaster on July 5. Tatsuki, however, responded through her publisher: “I’m not a prophet.”
Despite these rumors, Japan’s tourism remains strong. In April 2025, the country welcomed a record 3.9 million visitors. In contrast, arrivals from Hong Kong dropped by 11% in May, likely due to widespread fear sparked by the manga predictions.
Japan remains one of the world’s most seismically active countries. In fact, it experiences around 20% of all earthquakes worldwide with a magnitude of 6 or greater.
To address growing concerns, officials emphasize the importance of accurate information. The Japan earthquake warning serves as a reminder to follow official sources like the Japan Meteorological Agency and avoid misinformation online.
Additionally, authorities recommend participating in earthquake drills and knowing evacuation procedures. By doing so, citizens and visitors alike can stay safe and informed.
