Japan will prohibit passengers from using power banks on flights starting in April, following a series of fires involving portable lithium batteries in aircraft cabins, Japanese media reported.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified airlines of the new measures, according to Kyodo News and The Asahi Shimbun. The regulations will ban passengers from using power banks to charge electronic devices like phones and tablets during flights, and also prohibit using onboard power outlets to charge the power banks themselves.
Passengers will still be allowed to carry power banks on board, but cannot use them inflight. The ministry is also considering amending aviation regulations to align with International Civil Aviation Organization resolutions.
Authorities are further considering restricting the number of power banks passengers can carry. The ICAO is evaluating a proposal to limit passengers to a combined total of two power banks and spare batteries for devices like cameras.
Current Japanese regulations already ban power banks from checked luggage. Power banks exceeding 160 watt-hours are completely prohibited. Those between 100 and 160 watt-hours are limited to two per person, while those under 100 watt-hours currently have no quantity restrictions.
Since last July, authorities have required passengers to keep power banks and any devices being charged within sight, rather than in overhead bins.
