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

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.

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.