Tokyo, February 21, 2026 – The Europe Today: Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has notified airlines that it will prohibit the use of power banks on aircraft starting in April, following a series of in-flight incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire, a source familiar with the matter said.
The new regulation will not only ban passengers from using power banks to charge smartphones and other electronic devices during flights but will also prohibit charging the power banks themselves via onboard power outlets.
The ministry has moved to strengthen safety measures after previously advising travelers, since July, not to store power banks in overhead compartments and to keep them within reach while onboard. Authorities have raised concerns over the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in portable chargers.
According to the ministry, lithium-ion batteries can ignite if subjected to physical impact or due to gradual degradation over time. While power banks are already prohibited in checked baggage, passengers are currently permitted to carry them in cabin luggage within specified limits on quantity and capacity.
The stricter policy follows several safety incidents, including a fire that broke out in January 2025 aboard a low-cost carrier operated by Air Busan Co., which is believed to have been caused by a defective power bank.
The upcoming ban reflects growing global attention to lithium battery safety in aviation, as regulators seek to reduce the risk of onboard fires and ensure passenger safety.
