Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a cautionary alert for more strong earthquakes in the waters southwest of the country’s main islands following a series of over 1,000 tremors in the Kagoshima prefecture. A 5.5-magnitude quake on Thursday, which made standing difficult for many residents, has heightened public concern and prompted precautionary evacuations from some remote islands.
Adding to the anxiety is a widely circulated prediction from a 1999 manga, The Future I Saw by artist Ryo Tatsuki. The comic, re-released in 2021, is being interpreted by some as forecasting a catastrophic earthquake to hit Japan this month. This speculation has gained traction particularly in Hong Kong, leading to a reported 11% drop in tourist arrivals from the region in May, despite Japan otherwise experiencing record-breaking tourism.
However, Japanese authorities have strongly refuted the apocalyptic rumours, urging the public to rely on scientific evidence rather than comic book speculation. “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. Speaking at a press conference following another 5.4-magnitude tremor on Saturday, Ebita emphasized the need for calm and scientifically grounded understanding.
Tatsuki, the manga artist, has also sought to distance herself from the hysteria. Through a statement issued by her publisher, she clarified that she is “not a prophet” and that the manga should not be interpreted as a literal prediction.
Japan sits on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is no stranger to frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes. It accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes measuring magnitude 6 or higher.
Despite the scientific reassurances, the ongoing tremors and viral rumours have kept many on edge. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while working to dispel misinformation and reassure the public of their safety protocols.
