Japan Warns Of Strong Quakes Near Kyushu Amid Viral Disaster Claims

Japan has experienced over 1,000 tremors in the Kagoshima Prefecture region near Kyushu in the past two weeks, including recent quakes measuring 5.5 and 5.4 in magnitude strong enough to make standing difficult. These seismic events have coincided with viral rumors fueled by a decades-old manga titled "The Future I Saw," which some interpret as predicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in July 2025. The Japanese government and the Japan Meteorological Agency have issued warnings about the possibility of further strong earthquakes but have urged the public to rely on scientific evidence rather than unsubstantiated disaster predictions. Authorities evacuated residents from remote islands near the epicenter but emphasized that current scientific capabilities cannot predict the exact time, place, or scale of earthquakes. The manga’s creator, Ryo Tatsuki, has denied being a prophet, and despite the anxiety caused by the rumors, Japan recorded a record 3.9 million visitors in April 2025, although arrivals from Hong Kong fell 11% in May amid the viral doomsday theories. Officials continue to stress the importance of remaining calm and prepared, noting that Japan is one of the world's most seismically active areas, responsible for about one-fifth of global earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.