Japan Will Outlaw the Use of Power Banks on Flights in April: Details of the New Regulation
Japan is tightening regulations on power banks on airplanes, prohibiting their usage and placing new restrictions on the number of people that can carry them. The action comes after new international flight safety guidelines and an increase in fire occurrences caused by batteries.
Japan is enforcing stricter regulations regarding power banks aboard aircraft. This is something you should be aware of if you frequently travel within or beyond the nation.
It has been verified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism that using cellphone batteries while flying would soon be prohibited. It is anticipated that the new regulations will go into force by April 2026.
Let's examine the true implications of this for travelers.
Using a power bank while flying is prohibited.
Passengers will not be permitted to use power banks on airplanes under the new rule.
This includes using a portable battery or power bank to charge your phone, tablet, or other gadget while in flight.
The International Civil Aviation Organization, which has already forbidden charging mobile battery units aboard aircraft and is thinking of suggesting a more extensive ban, made this decision after safety considerations.
Japan is joining those worldwide safety worries with this decision.
Restrictions on the Number of Batteries You May Bring
There will also be explicit restrictions on the number of power banks you are permitted to bring. This is how it will operate:
Over 160 watt-hour batteries are still strictly prohibited.
There will only be two 160 watt-hour batteries per passenger.
Currently, travelers are able to bring:
Batteries under 100 watt-hours are unlimited.
A maximum of two 100–160 watt-hour batteries
The impending change mostly impacts onboard usage rather than just carrying them.
Regardless of whether you are traveling with a Japanese airline or an international one, the regulations will be applicable to all planes leaving or arriving in Japan.
Airlines have already been notified and will be in charge of ensuring that travelers abide with the regulations.
The Reasons Behind Japan's Action
The problem is this. Overheating is a possibility for lithium-ion batteries. And they can swiftly catch fire when they do. Lithium-ion cells are used in power banks. They may catch fire if they are harmed, flawed, or exposed to heat.
The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation in Japan reports that 123 accidents involving batteries occurred in 2024. That figure was only 47 in 2020. That's a significant rise in a short period of time.
In a few of those cases, batteries caught fire while smartphones were being charged.
Additionally, there have been actual instances involving airplanes:
An Air Busan aircraft caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in January 2025.
A battery on an All Nippon Airways flight from Naha to Tokyo in October released smoke.
The problem is not just with airplanes. Five persons were hurt in a battery fire on Tokyo's Yamanote train line in July 2025.
This demonstrates that the risk is no longer merely theoretical.
Airlines With Limited or Prohibited Power Bank Use
Due to the potential of lithium battery fire, many international airlines have already tightened their regulations on the use of power banks during flights, thus Japan is not alone. Most let travelers bring power banks in their cabin baggage, but they forbid using or charging them while in flight.
The following 15 airlines have implemented restrictions:
The Emirates
Singapore Airlines
The scooter
EVA Air
AirAsia and Thai Airways
Tigerair
Starlux Airlines
China Air
Malaysian airline Air Busan
MASwings of fireflies
Vietnam Airlines
Air Vietjet
What Travellers Should Do Now
If you are flying to or from Japan soon, plan ahead.
Charge your devices fully before boarding
Bring fewer batteries if possible
Check the watt-hour rating printed on your power bank
Follow the airline crew’s instructions carefully
Since July, Japanese airlines have already advised passengers to keep batteries within reach and not place them in overhead bins while in use.
The upcoming ban goes further by stopping their use entirely during flights.
For frequent flyers, digital nomads, and business travellers who rely heavily on portable chargers, this change may require a small adjustment. But from a safety perspective, it is not hard to see why regulators are taking this seriously.
