HONG KONG: False website rumors that a massive earthquake will strike Japan are putting a strain on travel agencies and airlines, with less demand coming from concerned Hong Kongers.
In 2024, Hong Kong residents traveled to Japan on almost 2.7 million visits.
Fear-inducing estimates have become widely popular among the city’s citizens despite the uncertainty of when earthquakes will strike.
Some fake posts quote a Japanese manga comic from the writer’s dream that was published in 2021 and predicted a significant natural disaster in July 2025.
A Fb group claims to identify catastrophe in Japan has more than a quarter of a million people, primarily in Hong Kong and Taiwan, while another content mention times.
According to Frankie Chow, head of Hong Kong go company CLS Holiday,” The disaster revelation has definitely caused a big change to our customers ‘ choices.”
Chow told AFP that his business received 70 to 80 percent fewer inquiries about visiting Japan in March and April than it did last season.
Chow, who also runs the reservation website Flyagain, said,” I’ve never experienced this earlier.” la.
Some individuals changed places, but some “did not try travel,” he said.
In Japan, where strict creating regulations minimize damage, perhaps from larger rubs, are common mild to moderate disasters.
However, the country is no stranger to significant disasters, such as the 2011 earthquake that left 18,500 individuals dead or missing and the Fukushima nuclear plant’s destructive panic.
In Hong Kong, tremors are uncommon, but some people are spooked by misinformation, according to Chow.