Japan Earthquake Theory Causes Airfare Prices to Plummet… Tickets to Japan Emerge at 50,000 Won
As rumors of a 'July Japan earthquake' spread, the prices of flights to Japan have sharply declined, prompting the domestic airline and travel industry to closely monitor the situation.
According to the domestic travel industry on the 4th, one-way tickets from Incheon to Narita on low-cost carriers (LCC) are priced between 50,000 to 70,000 won, a significant decrease compared to round-trip tickets in July last year that soared to the 400,000 won range. Last year's round-trip tickets had reached up to 400,000 won.
The airline industry analyzes that the price drop is the result of a combination of factors, including the rise in the value of the yen, an increase in flight availability on Japan routes, and the spreading rumors of an earthquake. However, reactions from social media users have shown a different trend.
On social networks, there have been numerous reports of individuals changing their travel plans due to earthquake concerns.
A user on X (formerly Twitter), 'pal***', remarked, "Predictions are just predictions, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious. I was thinking about a trip to Japan and changed my plans after coming across this information by chance," adding, "I hope the prediction is wrong."
Origins and Spread of the Japan Earthquake Theory
The beginning of this rumor can be traced back to the 2021 re-release of the Japanese manga 'The Complete Edition of The Future I Saw'.
The work, first published in 1999 by the manga artist Tatsuki Ryo, is based on content from dreams that the artist frequently experiences.
Though it didn't receive much attention upon release, it was brought back into the spotlight after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake when the phrase "Major disaster in March 2011" from the manga's cover became known.
At that time, the out-of-print original was traded for over 1 million won in the second-hand market and auction sites, and there were also instances of impersonating Tatsuki.
To resolve this controversy, Tatsuki released the complete edition in 2021, adding a new prediction that “the real disaster will occur in July 2025.”
He claimed that a massive explosion occurring under the sea between Japan and the Philippines would unleash a gigantic tsunami across Pacific coastal nations.
The Japan Meteorological Agency holds the position that there is no scientific basis for such earthquake predictions.
On the 13th of last month, the Minister of the Japan Meteorological Agency, Ryoichi Nomura, clearly stated in a press conference regarding the earthquake rumors that he believes them to be "nonsense."
Sensitive Reactions from Hong Kong and China
Particularly, Hong Kong has reacted very sensitively to the Japan earthquake theory.
On the 2nd, Greater Bay Airlines in Hong Kong decided to temporarily suspend regular flights connecting two small cities in Japan from September 1st.
According to Kyodo News, the airline explained that the spread of the Japan earthquake theory in Hong Kong has resulted in a sharp decrease in passengers, making it difficult to maintain the route due to deteriorating performance.
The airline had already cut some flights connecting Hong Kong to Tokushima and Sendai for the same reason in May.
The number of Hong Kong residents visiting Japan in May decreased by 11.2% compared to the same month last year, with Hong Kong being the only major country or region to see a decline in visitors to Japan.
Additionally, reports have emerged that in the same month, the Chinese Embassy in Japan urged its citizens residing there to be cautious about the earthquake and advised making careful judgments regarding real estate purchases in Japan.
Image source: Reference photos for article understanding / News1, Tatsuki Ryo's manga 'The Future I Saw,' tsunami scene during the Great East Japan Earthquake / Jiji.com, Greater Bay Airlines blog.
