Dramatic Drop in Hong Kong Visitors

Japan is seeing a startling 36.9% plunge in travelers from Hong Kong, with only 176,000 arrivals in July, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. This marks a worrying trend as it’s the third month in a row that numbers have continued to dip.

Speculations Spark Chaos Following Manga Predictions

The decline in tourism follows a chilling prediction of an earthquake featured in the manga "The Future I Saw," created by Japanese artist Ryo Tatsuki. The buzz surrounding this fictional quake has led to serious concerns, causing even some flights between Hong Kong and Japan to be suspended.

Local Airports Feeling the Pressure

At the recent Takamatsu Airport Utilization Review Council meeting on August 25, officials revealed that the airport has witnessed a significant decrease in passengers from Hong Kong. The ongoing anxiety regarding a potential 'megaquake' has left travel numbers in a slump, as reported by Japanese broadcaster KSB. Shockingly, some flights that were halted back in July have yet to be reinstated.

Persistent Declines Through the Summer

Further compounding the issue, KSB detailed that arrivals from Hong Kong fell by 31% in May compared to April, with only 2,865 travelers making the journey—an alarming trend that continued through June and July.

Experts Weigh In on the Situation

"The quake speculations are definitely impacting Japan’s tourism negatively and will cast a brief shadow over what was previously a booming sector," stated Eric Zhu, an aviation analyst, in comments reported by Bloomberg.

A Bright Spot Despite the Turmoil

Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom for Japan's tourism industry. Despite these setbacks, the country welcomed an astonishing 3.4 million international visitors last month, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. This indicates a resilient recovery overall, even amidst the turbulence caused by an unfounded earthquake panic.