The Earthquake in Japan and the 'July 5th Catastrophe' Prophecy Phenomenon - Between Science and Anxiety

Introduction

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Due to its geographical location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, major earthquakes have occurred repeatedly. Numerous disasters, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, have left significant scars on Japanese society, and the vigilance of the Japanese people towards earthquakes is quite high. Recently, over 300 earthquakes occurred in just three days in southern Japan, raising anxieties once again. Amid this, the fact that a manga artist predicted that a major disaster would strike Japan on July 5, 2025, has come back into the spotlight, provoking social interest and concern simultaneously. This prediction was made without scientific basis and is based on an individual's dream but has rapidly spread through social media and the press, resulting in actual economic impacts such as travel cancellations and flight reductions. This essay will examine the recent earthquake occurrences in Japan and analyze the impact of the prediction on society and the importance of scientific responses. Additionally, it aims to objectively shed light on the public's psychology regarding an uncertain future and the resulting social phenomena.

Current Status of Earthquakes in Japan

From mid to late June 2025, hundreds of earthquakes occurred in the Tokara Islands and southern waters of Kyushu, Japan. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, more than 300 tremors were detected in the area over a three-day period, with some media reporting cases exceeding 500. Most were minor earthquakes with magnitudes of 1 to 3, but due to their unusual frequency and persistence, concerns have been raised within Japan about a possible precursor to a major earthquake. However, Japanese seismologists explain that "the current small-scale, high-frequency earthquakes do not necessarily indicate a major earthquake." In fact, there have been instances in the past where similar frequencies of earthquakes occurred in the same region, most of which calmed down gradually after a certain period. At present, these earthquakes are interpreted as a temporary increase in the activity of faults within the crust, and no clear signs of a major earthquake have been observed. While such frequent earthquakes are commonly accepted in Japanese society, the overall sense of anxiety can easily spread if certain conditions coincide. This impact can be exacerbated, especially when unscientific information or rumors are added to the situation.

The Nature of Prophecy: Comics, Dreams, and Public Interpretation

At the center of the current anxieties lies an old dream story of a manga artist. In 1999, Japanese horror manga artist Ryuju Ryo published a work titled "The Future I Saw." This manga contains depictions of disasters and future events based on dreams the artist had in the past, including a scene that 'predicted' the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, which garnered attention after its release. In a revised complete edition published in 2021, Ryuju Ryo included content stating, "On July 5, 2025, an undersea volcano in the Philippines will erupt, causing a major earthquake and tsunami across Japan." The artist described this date as an image he strongly perceived in his dream, leaving a message that a disaster stronger than the Great East Japan Earthquake could occur. Although this prediction quietly faded from memory over time, it gained renewed attention recently with the series of earthquakes across Japan. Particularly, the repeated sharing of the date "July 5, 2025" through social media and online communities amplified the sense of panic. However, the artist himself later clarified in an interview with the media that "the exact date is symbolic, and there is no guarantee that an earthquake will actually occur." He explained that the dream he had was a symbolic image and that interpreting 'dream date = disaster occurrence date' is an excessive interpretation. Nevertheless, among the public, this prediction has expanded into a anxious imagination that it could 'materialize.' Especially in Japanese society, where fear regarding natural disasters like earthquakes is ever-present, such predictions gain far greater influence than reality might warrant.

Social reactions and repercussions

As prophecies and frequent earthquakes coincide, not only Japan but also neighboring countries are experiencing related social phenomena. The impact is notably pronounced in the tourism industry. With the summer vacation season approaching, a significant number of tourists who had planned trips to Japan are canceling or postponing their reservations. Major travel agencies in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea have reported an increase in inquiries from customers wishing to "avoid Japan around July 5." Some airlines have decided to reduce or suspend operations on routes to northeastern areas like Sendai and Tokushima due to a sharp decline in booking rates. The Japan Tourism Agency and local governments have urged the public to remain calm, stating that "rumors without scientific basis threaten the local economy." Additionally, this unease has become a topic of discussion in Japanese politics and media. Some politicians have stated that "prophecies at the level of urban legends are threatening public safety," and are calling for strengthened verification of broadcast and online content along with accurate information dissemination. Experts analyze this situation as a phenomenon of "fear contagion in the digital age," pointing out that rumors combining fear and imagination can have a substantial impact on society as a whole.

The voice of science and the necessity of response

The Japan Meteorological Agency recently announced in an official statement that "it is currently impossible to predict whether an earthquake will occur at a specific date and location with existing science and technology." This aligns with the general view in the field of seismology. Earthquakes are natural phenomena that occur due to the complex interplay of various geological variables, making temporal and spatial predictions severely limited. Seismology experts also emphasize that the concept of 'prophecy' cannot be a subject of science, and it is merely a matter of personal experience or imagination. In fact, various predictions existed before the Great East Japan Earthquake, but most turned out to be incorrect, and some were mere coincidences. The scientific community stresses that what is important in the current situation is not unsettling predictions, but rather the establishment of everyday disaster preparedness and the reliability of information. Japan has one of the world's top earthquake response systems, with regular earthquake evacuation drills conducted in schools and workplaces. Additionally, it has become commonplace for households to stock emergency supplies such as food, flashlights, and first-aid medications. Rather than imagining an uncertain future, a more rational approach is to minimize risks and reduce social chaos through scientifically validated response methods.

Conclusion

The recent series of earthquakes in Japan is a natural phenomenon that warrants significant attention. However, linking this to past comic prophecies and excessively amplifying anxiety lacks scientific basis. The 'catastrophe on July 5' is merely an image born from the writer's imagination, and there is no evidence that the date corresponds to an actual disaster occurrence. The social impact of such prophecies results from a unique geographical anxiety within Japanese society combined with the digital media environment. The fear of an uncertain future is an emotion felt by everyone, but overcoming it relies on scientific thinking and trust in verified information. Therefore, we must reaffirm through this case how important it is to calmly face reality without being swayed by emotions. Natural disasters can occur at any time, but how we respond depends on our choices. Accurate information, everyday preparedness, and, above all, critical thinking against fear-based misinformation are the greatest strengths we need right now.