Who is Japan’s ‘New Baba Vanga’ Ryo Tatsuki? The manga artist behind the July 2025 disaster prediction

A widely-circulated prophecy from a Japanese manga artist has led to a significant drop in travel bookings to Japan, particularly among East Asian tourists, as fears mount over a possible catastrophic natural disaster predicted for July 2025. Ryo Tatsuki, a little-known manga artist until recently, has been dubbed the “New Baba Vanga” following what many consider eerily accurate forecasts of past major events in Japan and beyond.

Her renewed popularity stems from a prediction made in her updated 2021 edition of The Future I Saw, in which she foresees a large-scale disaster striking Japan and surrounding areas in mid-2025.The reaction has been swift and multifaceted. Tour operators in Hong Kong and Taiwan have reported sharp declines in bookings, with some experiencing a 50% drop during the Easter travel period. Chinese authorities have issued public advisories, and social media platforms are flooded with discussions, hashtags, and doomsday scenarios based on Tatsuki’s vision.

While Japanese government officials have downplayed the concerns, the potential economic and psychological impact of the prophecy is growing.

Who is Ryo Tatsuki – Japan’s ‘New Baba Vanga’

Ryo Tatsuki is a manga artist and self-proclaimed clairvoyant who first published her book The Future I Saw (Watashi ga Mita Mirai) in 1999. The book was largely overlooked at the time but later gained a cult following as readers began to connect her illustrated visions with real-world events.

Among the events she reportedly predicted were:

Tatsuki describes her visions as spontaneous flashes—often vivid dreams or mental images—that she records and draws. Her writing style is straightforward, and she refrains from offering interpretations, which has led some followers to consider her work more authentic and less dramatized than those of other self-described prophets.

New Baba Vanga’s July 2025 disaster predictions

The specific prediction for July 2025 appears in an updated version of Tatsuki’s book released in 2021.

In it, she sketches a scene of an undersea rupture occurring between Japan and the Philippines, which she claims will result in a tsunami “three times larger” than the 2011 event. Additionally, she references imagery of the sea boiling, which has sparked speculation about potential volcanic activity or submarine geothermal explosions.The areas she highlights in her prophecy include:

These regions all sit atop or near the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone where tectonic plates frequently collide, leading to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

While scientists routinely monitor this region, the specificity and emotional impact of Tatsuki’s predictions have struck a chord, particularly among populations already sensitive to seismic threats.

Ryo Tatsuki’s disaster warning causes Japan travel collapse in East Asia markets

One of the most immediate consequences of the July 2025 prediction has been a steep decline in tourist interest in Japan. Hong Kong-based travel agency WWPKG reported a 50% drop in travel bookings for Japan during the Easter holiday season.Key observations:

While tourism to Japan has been recovering steadily since the COVID-19 pandemic, this prediction has introduced a new psychological barrier to travel, especially among visitors from East and Southeast Asia, where beliefs in premonitions and spiritual foresight are more culturally prevalent.

Official government responses

China’s advisoryIn April 2025, the Chinese embassy in Tokyo issued a formal travel advisory. Citing “recent seismic activity” and “increased volcanic alerts,” the advisory urges Chinese nationals residing in or visiting Japan to take “extra precautions against natural disasters.”Key recommendations included:

This advisory came after several minor earthquakes were recorded around Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands, as well as an uptick in tremors near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes.Japan’s meteorological stanceIn contrast, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has taken a more measured approach. Officials from JMA stated that:

The Japanese government has not issued any emergency preparedness protocols specific to the prophecy but continues to emphasize routine readiness for earthquakes and tsunamis due to the country’s tectonic geography.

Public reaction and online trends

The prophecy has gone viral, particularly on Chinese social media platforms such as Weibo and international outlets like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (X). The hashtag #July2025Prediction has generated millions of views and sparked global debate.Online behavior trends:

In addition, YouTube creators and bloggers across Japan and Taiwan have uploaded analysis videos exploring the scientific plausibility of Tatsuki’s claims, comparing her record to that of other famous mystics such as Baba Vanga, Nostradamus, and Jeane Dixon.

Scientific and cultural context

Experts in seismology and sociology are split on the significance of such predictions. While there is no scientific basis for psychic visions, the cultural weight of premonitions in East Asia can have real-world implications.Geological perspective:

Sociocultural perspective: