Japan to Ban Power Bank Use on Aircraft from April
Tokyo (ANTARA) - The Japanese Government will ban the use of power banks or portable chargers on aircraft from April, according to a source familiar with the matter on Wednesday (18/2).
The decision was taken following a number of incidents in which mobile phone batteries caught fire during flights.
The ban will not be limited to the use of power banks for charging smartphones, but will also extend to charging via in-seat power outlets on aircraft.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) decided to tighten regulations after previously urging passengers not to store power banks in overhead compartments and to keep them within reach during flights.
According to MLIT, lithium-ion batteries commonly used in power banks can catch fire due to physical impact or gradual degradation.
Currently, portable batteries are prohibited from being placed in checked baggage, and their quantity and capacity are restricted in cabin baggage.
A fire that occurred in January 2025 aboard a low-cost carrier aircraft operated by Air Busan Co. was suspected to have been caused by a faulty power bank.
Source: Kyodo
The decision was taken following a number of incidents in which mobile phone batteries caught fire during flights.
The ban will not be limited to the use of power banks for charging smartphones, but will also extend to charging via in-seat power outlets on aircraft.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) decided to tighten regulations after previously urging passengers not to store power banks in overhead compartments and to keep them within reach during flights.
According to MLIT, lithium-ion batteries commonly used in power banks can catch fire due to physical impact or gradual degradation.
Currently, portable batteries are prohibited from being placed in checked baggage, and their quantity and capacity are restricted in cabin baggage.
A fire that occurred in January 2025 aboard a low-cost carrier aircraft operated by Air Busan Co. was suspected to have been caused by a faulty power bank.
Source: Kyodo