Nelson Chin, General Manager of Northeast Asia for Cathay Pacific Airways, revealed that there is a decline in bookings for routes to Japan, amid rumors spreading primarily in Hong Kong that “a major disaster will occur in Japan in July.”
Speaking at an event in Tokyo, Mr. Chin responded to the media, explaining, “Other companies are also experiencing similar effects,” and noted that “bookings for routes to Japan in July have decreased by about 30%.” While some airlines are reducing flights, Cathay Pacific Airways continues to operate without cutting down on flights.
On the other hand, there has been no significant impact on bookings from August onwards, and Mr. Chin expressed confidence that “the (decrease in bookings) is a short-term phenomenon that will soon be resolved.” The overall booking rate for the group’s summer season is doing well, particularly in August, where double-digit growth is expected year-on-year.
▲Nelson Chin, General Manager of Northeast Asia
The origin of the rumor is Tikky Ryo’s manga work, ‘The Future I Saw: Complete Edition.’ In the story, there is content stating that “a major disaster will occur in Japan on July 5, 2025.” This has led to a trend in Hong Kong of holding off on travel to Japan in July, particularly because a famous feng shui master made similar predictions. According to estimates by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), visitors from Hong Kong to Japan in May decreased by about 11% compared to the same month the previous year. The Japan Meteorological Agency has commented, dismissing it as “false information.”
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