\n
![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/japan-2-earth-masthead-v2.jpg\")
<\/a>\nRELATED:<\/p>\n
(Read the editorial in Japanese<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
New rules on carrying power banks onto passenger aircraft have taken effect in Japan since April 24, following regulations introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Passengers may now only bring a maximum of two power banks per person, each with a capacity of no more than 160 watt-hours.<\/p>\n
With the upcoming holiday season bringing a surge in air travel, all passengers are urged to familiarize themselves with updated rules and follow safety guidelines accordingly.<\/p>\n
Rising Fire Risks<\/p>\n
Compact and convenient, power banks have become everyday essentials for many travelers, but reports of them catching fire are on the rise. The growing number of people using them, combined with wear and tear over time, is believed to be contributing to the risk.<\/p>\n
Part of the concern lies in the lithium-ion batteries used in many power banks. While they are highly efficient and can store large amounts of energy, that same energy density makes accidents particularly serious when they occur.<\/p>\n
What makes them especially dangerous is how little warning there is before a fire starts\u2014and how quickly it can spread once it does. Unlike ordinary fires, these cannot easily be extinguished with water or by cutting off oxygen.<\/p>\n
Notable Incidents<\/p>\n
Smoke and fire incidents on the Yamanote Line in July 2025, and on the Joetsu Shinkansen the following August, were both linked to the nature of power bank fires. That October, an ANA flight experienced a scare shortly after takeoff when a passenger’s power bank began emitting smoke.<\/p>\n
Incidents have also occurred abroad. In January 2025, a passenger aircraft caught fire while preparing for takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea, with a power bank identified as a likely cause.<\/p>\n
Smaller incidents that did not develop into major disasters have also been reported in multiple countries. This has prompted the International Civil Aviation Organization to introduce countermeasures.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, preventing accidents comes down to each passenger’s awareness. Choosing a power bank based on price alone carries real risk, as lower-quality products do exist on the market.<\/p>\n
Any device that has been dropped or left in a hot environment should no longer be used. The same applies if it shows signs of swelling, unusual heat, or strange odors.<\/p>\n
Precisely because they are so commonplace, it is all the more important to consistently treat them for what they are: high-energy devices that require care and attention.<\/p>\n
(Read the editorial in Japanese<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>
\nRELATED:<\/p>\n