Airline cuts flights to Japan over wild rumour

A major airline has cut flights to Japan amid a “prophecy” speculation from a comic book that has since gone viral.

Hong Kong Airlines has experienced a drop in travel to southern Japan amid fears of a megaquake predicted in a comic book.

The “prophecy” circulating on social media claims a major earthquake will hit the country in July.

Due to a drop in demand, the carrier will reportedly ditch flights to tourist hotspots Kagoshima and Kumamoto in July and August.

The earthquake speculation reportedly comes from the manga The Future I Saw: Complete Edition (2022) by artist Ryo Tatsuki, and has since gone viral online.

“The real catastrophe will come in July 2025,” a line from the book read.

According to local publication Japan Forward, Tatsuki previously gained attention for allegedly “predicting” the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in a manga published in 1996.

During a press conference on April 23, Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai hit back, saying, “It’s a serious issue when unscientific claims spread on social media and impact tourism”.

“Japanese people aren’t fleeing the country, so I want to reassure everyone to please visit Japan with peace of mind.”

Hong Kong Airlines has experienced a drop in travel to southern Japan amid fears of a megaquake predicted in a comic book.

The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) was also quick to respond, stressing that there is no scientific basis for the earthquake prediction.

Hong Kong Airlines has felt the impacts with less locals booking flights to various points in Japan since May.

The airline had only resumed flights to Kagoshima last year for the first time in four years. In December 2024, it increased flights from three to four, due to strong demand.

However, local media reported the airline is seeing demand declining off the back of the comic book rumours.

Other airlines operating flights between Hong Kong and Japan have also reported similar declines in bookings, particularly for travel to areas in southern Japan.

The Japan Meteorological Agency states on its website: “In general, information that predicts the specific date and location of an earthquake is considered to be a hoax.”

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Airlines said affected passengers could re-book for alternative destinations, including other cities in Japan and mainland China, as well as Taipei, Bangkok and Vietnam’s Da Nang.

“We deeply apologise for the inconvenience caused by this flight adjustment and promise to do our best to assist affected passengers and provide proper travel arrangements,” it said.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said

the airline’s changes were reasonable in light of the drop-off in demand, while other destinations such as the mainland and countries in southeast Asia had become increasingly popular.

“I think the cancellation will only be in the short term. Hongkongers’ passion for travelling outside the city remains strong,” he said, according to South China Morning Post.