The viral rumours have created panic among tourists, with some airlines cancelling flights to Japanese cities due to low passenger demand.

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.

A series of earthquakes near Japan’s remote Tokara Islands over the past two weeks, along with a major eruption from a long-dormant volcano earlier this week, has added to growing speculation about a disaster striking Japan on July 5.