Japan bans in-flight use of power banks and caps them at two per passenger
Japan has tightened in-flight power bank rules from April 24, banning their use and recharging on aircraft and limiting passengers to two devices each.
Japan has introduced stricter rules on power banks on flights, banning passengers from using them to charge devices during flights and also banning the recharging of the power banks themselves on board. The move follows a series of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries overheating, smoking or catching fire in aircraft cabins.
Under the new rules, each passenger may carry no more than two power banks in hand luggage, with each device required to be no more than 160Wh. Notices explaining the restrictions have been displayed at airline check-in counters, including at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
Passengers who break the rules may face penalties of up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen, according to reports on the new enforcement measures.
The tighter Japanese rules follow new guidance issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization in March 2026. ICAO said the updated specifications took effect on March 27 and limit power banks to two per passenger while also prohibiting in-flight recharging.
