Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Hong Kong Airlines has announced that it will suspend its flights to Kagoshima (KOJ) and Kumamoto (KMJ) in southern Japan for the months of July and August 2025, citing a significant reduction in demand driven by a widely circulated but unfounded rumor about an impending earthquake and tsunami. The rumor is reportedly linked to a Japanese comic book (manga) titled The Future I Saw, which warns of a devastating natural disaster in Japan in the summer of 2025.
This decision by Hong Kong Airlines is one of the more unusual cases of route suspension, as it is tied to the influence of pop culture, particularly a fictional manga series, rather than any verified scientific data. The story contained in the manga, written by Ryo Tatsuki, has sparked widespread concern among travelers, especially in Hong Kong, which has seen a significant decline in bookings to Japan. The impact of this rumor highlights how misinformation can influence travel behavior, even when it lacks a factual basis.
The Earthquake Rumor and Its Origins
The rumor centers around the 2021 reprint of The Future I Saw, a manga first published in 1999. In this republished version, the author Ryo Tatsuki made a claim about a massive earthquake that is supposed to strike Japan on July 5, 2025. According to the manga, a crack will open up under the seabed between Japan and the Philippines, sending massive waves—three times the size of the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami—toward Japan’s shores.
The idea that the author has some special ability to predict the future has garnered attention due to the apparent accuracy of a previous prediction made in the 1999 version of the manga. Tatsuki’s 1999 book predicted the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan’s northern Tōhoku region, which has led some fans to believe that her later predictions, including the 2025 disaster, are likely to come true as well.
The manga’s fanbase, particularly in East Asia, takes Tatsuki’s predictions seriously, with many people believing that the events she writes about are prophetic. This belief has been amplified by social media, where rumors spread rapidly, further feeding fears. As a result, travel demand to Japan from Hong Kong has seen a drastic drop, particularly to southern Japan, which includes cities like Kagoshima and Kumamoto.
Impact on Hong Kong Airlines and Japan Tourism
Hong Kong Airlines had only resumed its Kagoshima route in the spring of 2024 after a four-year hiatus. Initially, the airline had increased the frequency of flights due to strong demand, but the resurgence of the earthquake rumor has caused a sharp decline in bookings. The airline’s decision to suspend flights to Kagoshima and Kumamoto is a direct response to this decrease in demand, which has been ongoing since May 2025.
The impact is not confined to Hong Kong Airlines alone. Other airlines operating flights between Hong Kong and Japan have reported similar declines in bookings, particularly for travel to areas in southern Japan. This reduction in demand has had a ripple effect on the broader tourism industry, with businesses in Japan experiencing cancellations and a lack of new reservations. Travel agencies have reported that some travelers are canceling or postponing their trips to Japan, and others are choosing alternative destinations in East Asia, such as South Korea or Taiwan.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has been quick to address the situation, stressing that there is no scientific basis for the earthquake prediction. The Japan Meteorological Agency has also issued a statement declaring that the claims made in The Future I Saw are entirely unfounded and should not be taken seriously. The agency has emphasized that it cannot predict the timing, location, or magnitude of an earthquake with such precision, and that the public should rely on official channels and scientific research for information regarding seismic activity.
Despite these reassurances, the damage to Japan’s tourism sector has been tangible. The JNTO and other government organizations are working to combat the spread of these rumors and reassure travelers that Japan remains a safe and vibrant destination. They have called on travelers to base their decisions on facts rather than speculative fiction.
The Influence of Media and Pop Culture on Public Perception
The suspension of Hong Kong Airlines’ routes is a unique example of how pop culture can have a far-reaching influence on public behavior. While most people would dismiss a comic book as a source of legitimate information, the association of Tatsuki’s earlier predictions with real-world events has led many to believe that her future forecasts are accurate. This phenomenon is not new—superstitions, folklore, and media predictions have always had an impact on human behavior, but the digital age has amplified this effect.
Social media platforms have played a significant role in the rapid spread of these rumors. Influential individuals and groups on platforms like WeChat, Facebook, and Twitter have fueled the belief in Tatsuki’s predictions, turning what was originally a niche interest into a widespread fear that affects millions. As a result, even with official debunking from government organizations and scientists, the rumor continues to influence people’s decisions, particularly in the travel industry.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of media literacy and critical thinking, especially in an age where misinformation can spread quickly and have real-world consequences. Travelers should be encouraged to seek out verified information from reputable sources, rather than relying on unverified or sensationalized reports.
Hong Kong Airlines’ Response and Future Outlook
In light of the ongoing situation, Hong Kong Airlines is working to minimize the disruption to its passengers. The airline has been offering rebooking options and full refunds to passengers affected by the suspension of flights. Travelers who had planned to visit Kagoshima and Kumamoto during the summer months are being redirected to other routes within Japan or alternative destinations in the region.
The airline has also reassured the public that it will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary. Should the demand for flights to Japan pick up again in the fall, Hong Kong Airlines has indicated that it will consider resuming its services to these destinations.
Looking ahead, the travel industry in the region is likely to face challenges in the short term, as the fear of a disaster lingers. However, as more travelers return to rational decision-making, and as the reality of the earthquake prediction proves unfounded, the situation is expected to stabilize.
Conclusion
The suspension of Hong Kong Airlines’ routes to Kagoshima and Kumamoto is an unusual case, driven by a combination of unfounded rumors and widespread panic based on a manga’s fictional predictions. While the claims made in The Future I Saw have no scientific basis, the impact on Japan’s tourism and airline industry has been significant. The Japan National Tourism Organization and other government agencies are working to reassure travelers that Japan remains a safe destination. However, this situation highlights the power of media and pop culture in influencing public perception and the importance of basing travel decisions on factual information rather than speculation.
