New Japan Airlines Regulations Effective April 24: Power Banks Prohibited in Cabins

TOKYO (CNA) – Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced today that new safety standards, including a ban on the use of power banks in aircraft cabins, will take effect on April 24. The new regulations also limit passengers to carrying a maximum of two power banks on board.

According to the "Nikkei Shimbun," Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kazuyoshi Kaneko stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting today, "We hope for users' understanding and cooperation."

MLIT stated that from April 24, charging power banks themselves in the cabin will be prohibited. It also urged passengers to avoid using power banks to charge electronic devices such as smartphones and suggested using power provided on board instead.

The Japanese government will also strengthen regulations on the number of power banks allowed. Previously, there was no limit on the number of carry-on power banks if they were under 100Wh. However, from April 24, a maximum of two power banks under 160Wh will be allowed per person. If this limit is exceeded, passengers will be asked to discard them at the security checkpoint for carry-on luggage.

Existing regulations, such as the prohibition of power banks in checked luggage and the ban on carrying large-capacity power banks exceeding 160Wh, remain unchanged. Passengers who violate the regulations may be penalized under the Aviation Act.

Japan will enter the major Golden Week holiday period in late April. Before this, MLIT and various airlines are rushing to notify passengers of the new regulations through official websites and announcements, reminding them that some aircraft may not be equipped with power outlets and urging them to charge their mobile phones and other electronic devices before boarding.

MLIT had already required passengers since July last year not to store power banks in overhead luggage compartments but to keep them with them. Now, related measures will be further strengthened.

Power banks are mainly made with lithium batteries, which can emit smoke or catch fire if aged or impacted, and similar incidents have occurred worldwide. After the United Nations specialized agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), strengthened international standards in March this year, Japan has also raised its regulations to the same level. (Compiler: Yang Wei-ching) 1150414

Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.

Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.

The text, images, and audio-visual content of this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.