Note! Starting 24 April, Japan Bans Power Bank Use on Planes

Japan is officially tightening aviation regulations by banning the use of power banks while on board aircraft starting 24 April 2026. This policy follows an increase in incidents involving portable batteries that have caused smoke and fires in cabins. According to The Japan Times on Monday (20/4/2026), Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism states that the new rules will apply to all flights. They add that the regulations focus primarily on passenger safety from the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. Under the latest rules, each passenger is permitted to carry a maximum of two power banks in cabin baggage, with each having a capacity of no more than 160 watt-hours. Although they may be carried, these devices must not be used during the flight. This means passengers are prohibited from charging electronic devices using power banks or recharging power banks via electrical facilities on the aircraft. Additionally, power banks must be carried in the cabin and not placed in checked baggage. Passengers are also asked to store the devices in easily accessible places, not in overhead baggage compartments. The Japanese government has prepared strict sanctions for violations of these rules. Passengers caught carrying more than two power banks or using them on board face up to two years in prison or a maximum fine of ¥1 million. These regulations come after a series of portable battery incidents on aircraft, both in Japan and other countries, which have been reported to emit smoke or catch fire. Japan’s measures also align with the latest international standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN body that regulates global aviation safety.