Japan Imposes New Air Travel Regulations on Portable Power Banks, Effective April 24
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced new air safety regulations on April 14, 2026, to take effect on April 24. The rules prohibit charging portable power banks in aircraft cabins and recommend using on-board power outlets. Passengers are now limited to carrying a maximum of two portable power banks, each under 160Wh, as carry-on luggage; exceeding this limit will result in confiscation. Existing prohibitions against power banks in checked luggage and those exceeding 160Wh remain. Violators may face penalties under aviation law. This update aligns with strengthened international standards by the ICAO in March 2026 and aims to mitigate fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. The new rules are being implemented before Japan's Golden Week holidays, and since July last year, passengers have been required to keep power banks with them rather than in overhead bins.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 12:16
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The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan announced today, April 14, 2026, that new safety standards prohibiting the use of portable power banks in aircraft cabins will come into effect on April 24. These new regulations also include a limit of a maximum of two portable power banks (each under 160Wh) per person for carry-on luggage.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kazuyoshi Akaba (based on article's context), stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting today that "we hope for users' understanding and cooperation."
According to the Ministry, effective April 24, charging portable power bank units inside the cabin will be prohibited. Passengers are also advised to avoid using power banks to charge electronic devices such as smartphones and are encouraged to use power outlets provided on the aircraft instead.
Japan will also strengthen regulations regarding the number of portable power banks allowed. Previously, there was no limit on the number of portable power banks (under 100Wh) that could be carried on. However, from April 24, passengers will only be allowed to carry a maximum of two portable power banks, each under 160Wh. If this limit is exceeded, the power banks will be required to be discarded at the carry-on luggage security checkpoint.
Existing regulations, such as the prohibition of power banks in checked luggage and the ban on carrying large-capacity power banks exceeding 160Wh, will remain unchanged. Passengers who violate these regulations may face penalties under the Aviation Law.
As Japan approaches the major "Golden Week" holidays in late April, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and various airlines are promptly notifying passengers of the new regulations through official websites and announcements. They also remind travelers that some aircraft may not be equipped with power outlets and urge passengers to charge their electronic devices like phones before boarding.
Since July last year, the Ministry had already required passengers to keep portable power banks with them rather than storing them in overhead bins. The current measures further reinforce these related policies.
Portable power banks, primarily made with lithium batteries, pose a risk of smoking or catching fire due to aging or impact. Similar incidents have occurred worldwide. Following the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) strengthening its international standards in March of this year, Japan has also elevated its regulations to the same level.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kazuyoshi Akaba (based on article's context), stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting today that "we hope for users' understanding and cooperation."
According to the Ministry, effective April 24, charging portable power bank units inside the cabin will be prohibited. Passengers are also advised to avoid using power banks to charge electronic devices such as smartphones and are encouraged to use power outlets provided on the aircraft instead.
Japan will also strengthen regulations regarding the number of portable power banks allowed. Previously, there was no limit on the number of portable power banks (under 100Wh) that could be carried on. However, from April 24, passengers will only be allowed to carry a maximum of two portable power banks, each under 160Wh. If this limit is exceeded, the power banks will be required to be discarded at the carry-on luggage security checkpoint.
Existing regulations, such as the prohibition of power banks in checked luggage and the ban on carrying large-capacity power banks exceeding 160Wh, will remain unchanged. Passengers who violate these regulations may face penalties under the Aviation Law.
As Japan approaches the major "Golden Week" holidays in late April, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and various airlines are promptly notifying passengers of the new regulations through official websites and announcements. They also remind travelers that some aircraft may not be equipped with power outlets and urge passengers to charge their electronic devices like phones before boarding.
Since July last year, the Ministry had already required passengers to keep portable power banks with them rather than storing them in overhead bins. The current measures further reinforce these related policies.
Portable power banks, primarily made with lithium batteries, pose a risk of smoking or catching fire due to aging or impact. Similar incidents have occurred worldwide. Following the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) strengthening its international standards in March of this year, Japan has also elevated its regulations to the same level.