Fear travels faster than the truth in our digital era. Ryo Tatsuki, a former manga artist, has instilled concern in millions regarding a tsunami expected in July 2025, based solely on her dreams. There has been a significant decline in travel bookings to Japan, with some agencies reporting reductions of up to 50 percent, which has already inflicted considerable damage on the nation’s tourism industry. The 70-year-old artist asserts that the waters south of Japan will ‘boil,’ leading to a massive tsunami that could impact numerous Asian nations. However, before altering your travel plans, it is crucial to note that there is no scientific basis for her forecast. At times, dreams remain merely dreams.

Ryo Tatsuki, once a Japanese manga artist, began experiencing unusual dreams about disasters in the 1980s. She documented these dreams in a personal diary and later published them as a comic book titled ‘The Future I Saw’ in 1999. The book received minimal attention until 2011, when Japan experienced a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March. People recalled her book mentioning that specific month, catapulting her to fame overnight. Now at the age of 70, she is often referred to as Japan’s contemporary Baba Vanga, in reference to the renowned Bulgarian mystic who accurately foretold global events such as 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana before her passing in 1996.

The Japanese Baba Vanga describes witnessing the Pacific Ocean south of Japan bubbling as if it were boiling in her most recent dream. She interprets this vision as an indication of an underwater volcanic eruption that will instigate a mega-tsunami. She claims that the catastrophe would affect a diamond-shaped region encompassing Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. According to her, the tsunami will be three times more devastating than the 2011 disaster that resulted in over 18,000 fatalities in Japan. Tatsuki issued this warning in a revised edition of her book in 2021. Since then, the prediction has rapidly circulated on social media, inciting fear among potential tourists.

The economic repercussions stemming from Tatsuki’s forecast are already being experienced, despite the absence of scientific validation for her claims. CN Yuen, the managing director of WWPKG travel agency, noted that “bookings to Japan decreased by fifty percent during the Easter holiday” and are anticipated to decline further in the upcoming months. Travel agencies throughout Asia report that clients are canceling or deferring trips planned for July 2025. Some travelers are modifying their vacation arrangements to completely avoid the area predicted to be affected by the disaster. Airlines and hotels in the region are already facing financial setbacks. The anxieties triggered by these predictions have become “deeply rooted,” with individuals expressing a desire to “postpone their trip for the time being.”

Tatsuki’s notoriety stems from her assertions that she has foreseen several significant disasters through her dreams. Advocates claim she predicted the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, the Kobe earthquake in 1995, Japan’s tsunami in 2011, the passing of Princess Diana in 1997, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. These purported predictions have established her credibility among her supporters, many of whom now regard her 2025 tsunami forecast with utmost seriousness. Following 2011, her book became a highly coveted collector’s item, with copies fetching high prices online. Social media has further enhanced her reputation, portraying her as a trustworthy prophet to millions of followers globally.

A more detailed examination indicates that misinformation and misconceptions have contributed more to Tatsuki’s reputation than her actual predictions. An impersonator shared her widely circulated COVID-19 “prophecy” on Twitter in 2020, rather than Tatsuki herself. That account had appropriated its content from Dean Koontz’s 1981 novel The Eyes of Darkness. Many of the incidents she is credited with predicting had already transpired by the time she released her book in 1999. Detractors argue that her visions are “too ambiguous to be regarded seriously.” The excitement generated on social media and retrospective interpretations have predominantly shaped her so-called “accurate track record.”

One of the most frequently referenced predictions attributed to the Japanese Baba Vanga pertains to the demise of Princess Diana. Proponents assert that she inscribed “Diana? Died?” in her diary on August 31, 1992, precisely five years prior to Diana’s fatal car accident on August 31, 1997. Nevertheless, an analysis of her original 1999 manga comic reveals the term “DIANNA” subtly printed in the background of a single panel. There is no verified evidence that this diary entry ever existed, and this ambiguous reference was interpreted by many as a prophecy following Diana’s passing. This instance illustrates that when something is ambiguous, individuals may later claim it was a “prediction” once events unfold.

Seismologists depend on scientific instruments and geological data instead of dream journals to forecast disasters. Japan’s Meteorological Agency consistently observes seismic activity and has issued no alerts for July 2025. The Cabinet Office of Japan clarified that “modern technology has yet to be able to accurately predict an earthquake.” Authentic predictions necessitate the detection of precursor signals such as unusual seismic swarms, ground deformation, or alterations in underwater volcanic activity, none of which are currently evident. Although Japan is situated in the earthquake-prone Pacific Ring of Fire, legitimate predictions require extensive data analysis and sophisticated monitoring technology. The lack of official warnings from reputable authorities should provide reassurance to both travelers and investors.

The anxiety surrounding the Japanese Baba Vanga’s prediction for July 2025 highlights how misinformation can cause tangible economic damage. Myths proliferated on social media and misinterpreted assertions have significantly contributed to her reputation as a precise prophet, despite scant evidence to support this claim. Many predictions attributed to her were fabricated by imposters, who either plagiarized content from novels or referenced events that had already transpired. Even Tatsuki herself cautioned individuals not to be “overly swayed” by her dreams and to “act appropriately based on expert opinions.” It is advisable for individuals to seek guidance from official scientific sources.