The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism in Japan has officially notified airlines of a new safety directive regarding mobile batteries.
Passengers will soon face a complete ban on the use of power banks while aboard commercial flights.
This decision follows a concerning series of incidents where portable chargers have caught fire mid-flight.
Lithium-ion batteries are standard in modern portable electronics due to their high energy density.
However, these volatile power sources are prone to a dangerous reaction if they are damaged, defective, or subjected to gradual internal degradation.
A sudden thermal event can cause the battery to rapidly overheat, release toxic smoke, and ignite upon physical impact.
Extinguishing a chemical fire within the pressurized, confined cabin of an aircraft is incredibly difficult and poses a severe risk to everyone on board.
A major catalyst for this sweeping rule change was a severe fire that broke out aboard a low-cost carrier operated by Air Busan Co. in January 2025.
Aviation authorities believe a defective power bank caused the blaze, highlighting the immediate danger these common travel accessories present.
The new regulations are comprehensive and cover multiple scenarios to maximize passenger safety.
Travelers are strictly prohibited from using their power banks to charge smartphones, tablets, or any other personal devices during the flight.
The ban also explicitly extends to plugging the power banks into onboard power outlets to recharge the batteries themselves.
This marks a significant escalation from previous safety campaigns initiated by the ministry.
Since July 2025, officials have strongly urged travelers not to stow power banks in overhead compartments.
Passengers were previously advised to keep them within reach under their seats so cabin crew could quickly address any potential overheating issues.
Frequent flyers and tourists visiting the country will need to adjust their travel habits to accommodate these updated safety protocols.
Ensuring devices are fully charged before boarding will become essential for those relying on digital entertainment or work during long-haul trips.
Current international and domestic aviation rules already dictate that mobile batteries are completely forbidden in checked baggage.
Travelers are only permitted to bring them in their carry-on luggage, subject to strict limits on total capacity and the number of individual units per person.
While passengers can still carry these devices onto the plane, they must remain securely stored and unused for the duration of the journey.
These strict new usage regulations are scheduled to take effect across all airlines operating in Japan starting in April 2026.
Source: The Mainichi
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