Everything we know so far after ‘new Baba Vanga’

Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, often compared to mystic Baba Vanga for her accurate predictions, has issued a troubling forecast for July 5 that is affecting tourism in Japan. Known for predicting events like Freddie Mercury’s death, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and the COVID-19 outbreak, Tatsuki has warned of a major catastrophe set to occur in early July. In a 2021 edition of her 1996 book The Future I Saw, she claims a massive underwater crack could open between Japan and the Philippines, potentially triggering waves three times higher than those of the 2011 disaster and possibly linked to a volcanic eruption and a “mega tsunami.”

Her alarming prediction has caused concern among travelers, especially in regions like Hong Kong and mainland China, with many canceling their trips to Japan. CN Yuen, managing director of WWPKG travel agency, reported a 50% drop in bookings during Easter. Tourists from Thailand and Vietnam are also reportedly avoiding Japan. Reflecting this trend, Greater Bay Airlines has reduced its Japan-bound flights from four to three per week starting May 12 through October, citing both the predicted disaster and political factors like Donald Trump’s tariff policies as reasons for the decline in tourism.