Japan Joins North Korea, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria That People Are Avoiding Where New Fear Outpaces Enthusiasm

Travel industry analysts have indicated that Japan’s inclusion among countries increasingly avoided by travelers in 2025—alongside North Korea, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria—due to rumors of impending natural disasters, is influencing international travel patterns and market dynamics. The spread of a prophecy about an imminent earthquake and tsunami has led to widespread cancellations, particularly from key Asian source markets.

This wave of travel hesitancy underscores how misinformation can significantly disrupt travel demand, affecting airlines, tour operators, and hospitality providers. The industry is working to reassure potential visitors and manage changing booking trends. The impact extends beyond Japan’s borders as travelers consider alternative destinations amid safety concerns.

The Origin and Spread of Travel Fears

The catalyst for cancellations was reportedly a manga titled “The Future I Saw” by Ryo Tatsuki, first published in 1999, which predicted the 2011 Tōhoku disaster and forecasts a major earthquake in July 2025. The manga describes a catastrophic tsunami resulting from an underwater volcanic eruption between Japan and the Philippines.

Psychics from Japan and Hong Kong echoed these warnings, amplifying public fears online. Despite scientific consensus that earthquakes cannot be predicted, bookings from Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam have dropped sharply since April 2025. Hong Kong, a major tourism source, saw bookings plummet by up to 83 percent for late June and early July.

Japan’s Geological Reality and Tourism Safety

Scientists emphasize that while Japan is situated on the highly active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to earthquakes, the precise prediction of seismic events remains impossible with current technology. Japan’s tragic experience in 2011, which led to loss of life and the Fukushima nuclear crisis, has resulted in one of the world’s most advanced disaster response systems.

Government agencies and emergency services have invested heavily in infrastructure resilience, early warning systems, and public education. Many travelers still consider Japan among the safest earthquake-prone destinations, thanks to these measures.

Authorities have actively countered superstitions and misinformation, highlighting the importance of relying on verified scientific data and reassuring travelers that the country remains well-prepared for natural disasters.

Many travelers continue to trust Japan’s safety measures, and government authorities actively counter misinformation by stressing that current technology cannot predict earthquakes accurately.

Economic and Tourism Impacts

Japan’s tourism industry had seen strong recovery, with 36.8 million foreign visitors in 2024 and record arrivals in April 2025. The economic importance of tourism means prolonged booking declines could harm airlines, hotels, and local businesses. Stakeholders are collaborating to combat fears and promote safe travel.

Governmental Response and Public Reassurance

The Japanese Cabinet Office publicly dismissed earthquake predictions based on the manga as unscientific. Miyagi Prefecture’s governor condemned the spread of unfounded fears, emphasizing tourism’s vital role.

These efforts aim to reassure international travelers and maintain Japan’s image as a safe and welcoming destination.

Historical Parallels and Lessons

Travel experts cite past cases where apocalyptic predictions affected tourism differently—such as minimal disruption during the 2011 “Rapture” predictions, contrasted with increased tourism in Mexico during the 2012 Mayan calendar fears—highlighting the unpredictable nature of travel responses to cultural narratives.

Summary Bullet Points

• Travel cancellations to Japan surged in 2025 due to rumors of an earthquake and tsunami predicted in a manga, impacting bookings especially from Asia.
• Japan joins North Korea, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria among countries avoided by travelers for safety concerns.
• Japanese authorities actively counter misinformation to protect tourism recovery.