Earthquakes can’t be predicted. But a manga artist’s dream of a July 5 'megaquake' has spooked some residents and travelers.

More than 900 earthquakes have shaken a remote and sparsely populated island chain in southern Japan over two weeks, leaving the residents shocked. However, authorities in Japan have warned of more possible strong earthquakes.

Viral rumours of impending disaster stemming from a comic book prediction have taken the sheen off Japan's tourism boom, with some airlines cancelling flights from Hong Kong where passengers numbers have plunged.