Japan bans the use of portable batteries on airplanes starting April 24

Japan will ban the use of portable batteries on airplanes starting April 24, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Tokyo. This restriction specifically targets the use of these devices for charging smartphones and other electronics during flights, and passengers will no longer be able to use the power outlets on the backs of seats to charge them. The regulation was initiated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which allows the transport of a maximum of two batteries in carry-on luggage. The measure aligns with trends from other Asian airlines, such as Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines, which have imposed similar restrictions.

This decision complements existing regulations in Japan that prohibit the transport of lithium-ion batteries in the aircraft's hold due to fire risks. Last year, Japanese airlines detected over 17,000 lithium batteries during security checks at Haneda Airport. The new measure comes in response to an incident in January at Busan Airport, South Korea, when a battery caught fire, injuring seven people and necessitating the evacuation of 176 passengers.