"The Future I Foresee" Virtual and Reality Reversed: How a Comic Book Shook the Tourism and Aviation Industries

In Japan, July 2025, an incredible phenomenon occurred—a fictional manga prophecy about earthquakes and tsunamis unexpectedly sparked a huge wave in reality, influencing thousands of travelers’ decisions and impacting regional tourism and air transportation. The disaster prediction mentioned in the manga “The Future I Saw” (私が見た未来), set for July 5, 2025, was exaggerated by social media hype and certain individuals, transforming from an online topic into a collective panic across Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

A Manga Sparks a Multinational Tourism Crisis

Japanese manga artist Ryuju Ryo (age 72) created “The Future I Saw,” which included a storyline about a severe earthquake and tsunami on July 5, 2025. Originally, this was a fictional setting based on a dream, but it inadvertently became a trigger for online rumors. A Hong Kong feng shui master’s exaggerated interpretations and predictions fueled the spread, causing the manga’s prophecy to rapidly circulate on social media, especially among Hong Kong and Taiwanese online communities, sparking widespread discussion.

Subsequently, Greater Bay Area Airlines in Hong Kong announced a reduction in direct flights to Sendai and Tokushima from July 12 to October 25. Airline representatives admitted that internal investigations showed many passengers believed the disaster prophecy online. To prevent a sharp drop in passenger numbers, the airline was forced to adjust its flight schedules. This decision clearly demonstrates the tangible impact of online rumors on real-world business decisions.

Miyagi Prefecture Governor Yoshihiro Murai immediately stated that rumors about the disaster prophecy had caused actual damage to local tourism, emphasizing that such dissemination is clearly unscientific. Despite repeated clarifications from officials and experts, the power of the rumor has become difficult to fully reverse.

The Creators and Authorities Clarify

Faced with panic and inquiries from all directions, Ryuju Ryo issued a statement to Japanese media, emphasizing that “The Future I Saw” is purely a fictional work based on personal dreams and not a scientific prediction. She urged the public to follow professional disaster prevention advice and prepare scientifically for natural disasters, rather than overinterpreting fictional scenarios.

However, even with the author’s clarification, the work has been interpreted online beyond its original intent. In Hong Kong, local media extensively reported this news, making the disaster prophecy almost universally known. Many people on social platforms were warned that “Japan will experience a disaster on July 5,” and influenced by traditional metaphysical beliefs, many tend to believe such predictions. Similarly, in Taiwan, online communities fell into a similar panic, with many travelers canceling or postponing trips, causing noticeable fluctuations in the tourism market.

Why False Information Spreads Faster Than Facts

A survey released shortly after the incident by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications revealed a worrying phenomenon: nearly half of Japanese believe that information obtained from the internet or other platforms is “accurate or possibly accurate”; about a quarter share and forward unverified information. This data clearly indicates that low media literacy is a fundamental reason for the rapid spread of online rumors.

Social media algorithms further exacerbate this issue. Platforms tend to recommend content that provokes strong emotional reactions, such as doomsday predictions and disaster warnings. When false information is repeatedly shared, it gains higher visibility and reinforces people’s belief in its truth— a phenomenon known as the “repetition effect” in psychology. In contrast, official clarifications often lack this appeal.

When Doomsday Predictions Meet Doomsday Psychology

Throughout history, humans have sought spiritual solace in predictions, divination, and astrology when facing uncertainty. This psychological tendency stems from anxiety about unknown risks and feelings of helplessness. In today’s society, marked by economic instability and abnormal weather patterns, doomsday content resonates strongly. The high acceptance of metaphysical culture and feng shui in Hong Kong and Taiwan further reduces vigilance against false predictions.

“The Future I Saw” acts like a mirror reflecting the chaos in today’s information environment. The irony is that the actual disaster did not occur, yet it already caused widespread panic, market fluctuations, and industry losses. From manga prophecy to flight cancellations, from public fear to tourism impacts, the entire chain of events proves a simple truth: in an era of indistinguishable truth and falsehood, a superficial understanding can lead to serious consequences.

Improving Media Literacy: Learning from Rumors

The most important lesson from this incident is the urgent need to strengthen public media literacy and information discernment. When encountering online information, we should develop basic verification habits: identify sources, cross-check with authoritative channels, assess the credibility of the publisher, and be wary of emotional manipulation.

For natural disaster risks, focus should be on scientific disaster prevention knowledge and official warning systems, rather than indulging in doomsday predictions. Fictional works—whether manga, novels, or movies—can be misinterpreted as prophecy in the digital age. Only by elevating societal media literacy can we effectively prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Ultimately, “The Future I Saw” predicts not an earthquake, but prompts us to reflect on how, in a blurred line between reality and fiction, we face genuine risks and threats.