A newfound interest in a popular manga series brought about by the pandemic has resulted in a dramatic drop in tourists to Japan. The manga The Future I Saw, written by Ryo Tatsuki and first published in 1999, lays out terrifying forecasts. Some think these dire predictions were harbingers of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan’s northeastern coast in March of 2011. The cover of the first edition famously predicted readers of a “great disaster” due that very month. Unfortunately, this disaster had catastrophic effects. It led to the death of thousands of lives and a continued nuclear disaster, deeply impacting the way people view Japan as a tourism prospect.
In recent months, thanks to the manga’s 2021 reprint, these discussions have returned, rehashing claims that the manga is prophetic in nature. The original edition illustrated Tatsuki’s aspirations. Most are now reading the new movie as a harbinger of doom that may befall us starting July 5, 2025. The interest has created a wave of new and growing excitement among young people, especially on social media platforms like TikTok.
Impact on Tourism
The Future I Saw’s related rumors have done a major blow to Japan-related business for travel agencies. Hong Kong-based EGL Tours’ Steve Huen witnessed a steep drop-off. Since all this speculation began, he said, his firm’s business dealing with Japan has dropped by half. Yet travel statistics paint a disheartening picture. As far as the outlook for continued growth in tourism arrivals goes, an 11 percent year-on-year decline in arrivals from Hong Kong to Japan is an ill omen.
Akira Hasegawa, the deputy manager of Village Vanguard Bookshop in Tokyo, told the BBC that the manga has gone viral on social media. “A lot of buyers [of The Future I Saw], the customers who visit our shop, are young people, so of course as July approached, the information about it spread on social media, mainly on TikTok,” Hasegawa said. This social media buzz has created a sense of urgency among potential travelers who are wary of the manga’s predictions.
Unsurprisingly, safety concerns are prompting many travelers to change their travel plans. One traveler, Branden Choi, expressed his apprehensions: “If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September.” Echoing such sentiments is the concern that has overshadowed conversations around visiting Japan because of the manga’s ramifications.
The Author’s Response
Ryo Tatsuki has tried to head off speculation about her work and its allegedly prophetic qualities. In a recent statement issued by her US publisher, she stated unequivocally, “I Am Not A Prophet.” She was particularly eager to dissociate herself from any readings that suggest she foretold actual historical circumstances. This move to quell speculation arrives amid a storm of speculation and desire over Ms.
The speculative art contemplates a future with mention of an upcoming disaster, such as an 11/11/11 predicted tsunami featured on the last page of the manga. These aspects have all stoked conspiracy theories and fears within readers and would-be tourists to boot. Robert Geller, a scientist who has studied earthquakes extensively, remarked on the unsubstantiated nature of such predictions: “None of the predictions I’ve experienced in my scientific career have come close at all.”
Cultural Impact
The cultural impact of The Future I Saw goes far beyond just improving tourism. The continuing conversation about the accuracy of its projections is indicative of a larger public discourse involving Japan’s relationship with natural disasters. Understandably, the trauma of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami is still fresh in the minds of many citizens. Consequently, even hypothetical links to distant, future catastrophes can cause a lot of stress.
The viral nature of this discussion adds to the sad reality of how fast misinformation can spread in today’s digital age. The sales banner at Village Vanguard Bookshop captures this phenomenon succinctly: “Whether you believe it or not is up to you.” This fact has mystified both skeptics and believers as they try to make sense of the travel and safety contradictions.
