Tokyo's 'megaquake' advisory rattles Koreans' plans to travel to Japan

Japan's issuance of a "megaquake" advisory in the wake of a 7.1-magnitude tremor last week has prompted Koreans to rethink trips to Japan, despite incurring significant financial losses.

Tourists queue at Incheon International Airport for flights to Japan. [YONHAP]

An unprecedented "megaquake advisory" issued in Japan following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on Thursday has sent shock waves through the nation and prompted a surge in travel cancellations, particularly among Korean tourists.

Japan's meteorological agency warned of a significantly increased risk of major earthquakes along the Nankai Trough, a seismic hot spot capable of generating massive tremors. Accordingly, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a planned trip to Central Asia to oversee the situation and lead the government's response.

Fears of a potential megaquake, fueled by Tokyo's extraordinary warning, have also impacted Korean travelers, who make up the largest portion of foreign tourists to the country. Many have opted to cancel their trips despite incurring substantial financial losses.

A 38-year-old surnamed Ha was forced to scrap a four-day trip to Fukuoka just days before departure, potentially losing 850,000 won ($620) on flights and accommodation. "I emailed hotels and ryokan [traditional Japanese lodging] but I'm unsure about refunds," Ha said. "It's disappointing to lose money, but I wouldn't have enjoyed my trip given the uncertainty."

Travelers share posts regarding cancellation of their trips to Japan on online platforms. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Since the earthquake struck Japan's southern islands last Thursday, online platforms have been inundated with posts from travelers grappling with the situation, with more than 50 posts about canceling trips appearing on the most popular Korean online community about traveling to Japan.

Some have shared their decision to cancel trips to Tokyo and Kyushu, while others have explored alternative destinations like Taiwan and Thailand. Travelers are also exchanging tips on minimizing financial losses and navigating refund processes.

Adding to the confusion, unverified posts are spreading rapidly on social media. Posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, have claimed Hokkaido is the region safest from the potential earthquake, while Fukuoka and Osaka are "dangerous areas." An Instagram post showing empty shelves in a Japanese supermarket has sparked concerns and comments such as "Is it safe to go to Osaka tomorrow?" and "I've never seen anything like this before. Is it all a hype?"

Japan is a top travel destination for Koreans, with approximately 70,000 visitors in both May and June, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The travel industry is now facing a double challenge: the ongoing fallout from recent scandals involving domestic travel platforms and the potential for mass cancellations of Japan trips due to the earthquake scare.

"Even though the earthquake hasn't happened yet, customers are already inquiring about cancellations due to worry," a travel agent told the Korea JoongAng Daily. "We're trying our best to accommodate their requests, but it's difficult to process full refunds without any penalties for something that hasn't occurred."

Experts are urging caution. “If the recent earthquake is a precursor, a larger one is likely to occur within a month as some experts predict. It’s advisable to exercise caution for the time being,” said Chang Sung-Joon, a geophysics professor at Kangwon National University.

“People need to think critically when consuming information from social media, but it is also true that they need to refrain from traveling to highly risk-prone areas,” said Kong Ha-sung, a professor at the department of fire protection and safety management of Woosuk University.

“In unavoidable cases, people need to familiarize themselves with safety guidelines in advance.”

BY LEE BO-RAM, YOON SEUNG-JIN [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]