Japan’s Disaster Prophet, Her Manga Predictions, & Her Latest Response

When Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki published a manga titled “The Future I Saw” over 25 years ago, she based the dramatic stories on a series of dreams, without any inkling of the drama they would cause. The collection of stories drew pictures of the future to come, from births and deaths to large-scale natural disasters, but made no claims to contain real predictions. In the years after the book was published, however, readers began to connect references in the pages of the manga to real-life events that occurred throughout the world. Those who believe in Ryo Tatsuki’s prophetic powers sometimes mention her dreams of Freddie Mercury’s early death and vague suggestions of a pandemic in the year 2020, but far more frequent are references to her prediction of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami – her book contains a clear illustration of a major disaster occuring in March 2011. Whether these are cases of coincidence or some kind of magic, the artist and author gained a reputation for prophetic accuracy among fans.

So when the revised edition of her book, titled “The Future I Saw: Complete Version,” was published in 2021 with a selection of new stories, readers were immediately drawn to a dream originally seen on July 5th, which seemed to tell her “a disaster will occur in July 2025.” In recent years, residents of Japan (especially in the Tokyo area) have been especially aware of the impending “big one,” a strong earthquake that real geologists and tectonic experts have agreed could occur any day now. So this single sentence in Ryo Takatsuki’s book set off a wave of speculation, with many people fearing what might happen on July 5, 2025. In regions such as Hong Kong, travelers even began to cancel or postpone their trips when the prediction reappeared in the media.

Ryo Takatsuki, however, has now published a new book addressing her predictions, stepping forward to clarify the true meaning behind this so-called prophecy.

Is Japan Doomed on July 5th?

Ryo Tatsuki’s newest publication, “The Angel’s Last Words,” speaks directly to her previous works, reinterpreting the dates and what they actually might mean. Her clarification was simple, denying the prophetic quality of her dreams by stating, “July 5th isn’t necessarily the date of any disaster. It might just be the date I had the dream, which doesn’t mean anything will actually occur on that day.”

Don’t Panic, Be Prepared!

Japan’s Meteorological Agency Director-General commented on the situation and the rumors now flying around the internet, beginning simply by mentioning that “with our current level of scientific technology, it is impossible to predict the exact time, location, or scale of an earthquake. Therefore, such predictions should be regarded as false information.” He emphasized that rather than being fearful of baseless prophecies, it makes much more sense to make practical preparations. Ryo Tatsuki herself seemed to agree, explaining “people’s interest in these predictions shows that awareness around disaster preparedness is rising, and that’s a good thing. I personally make sure to be cautious when I go out and keep my emergency supplies ready. Just because I had a dream on a certain day doesn’t mean anything will actually happen on that date, so there’s no need to be overly anxious.”

While this July 2025 disaster prediction has stirred concern and apprehension, there is currently no scientific evidence to support such a claim. Considering the scientists tell us that, really, a disaster could happen any time at all, this is a good opportunity to make sure you’re prepared – so you can live your life without any excess anxiety.

Emergency Kit Checklist for Travelers

・your passport, plus an additional photocopy
・a portable charger for your phone & charging cables
・water and some high-calorie snacks (chocolate, protein bars, granola, etc)
・emergency contact info for your home country’s embassy in Japan
・a compact thermal blanket, mini flashlight, and masks
・at least a small amount of cash (in case card readers are down)

If you’re planning to stay in Japan long-term, you’ll also want to consider the items below.

・shelf-stable food supplies (like curry pouches and instant rice)
・specific evacuation plans for wherever you’re staying
・a go-bag packed with everything above

In the end, the best way to stay safe is to be prepared, just in case! Check out our disaster prep guides for more helpful information, and enjoy your trip to Japan worry-free!

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^{_{Original Article in Chinese by Shan Tseng
English Edition by Sophia Appelbaum}}