Japan bans inflight use of power banks

Japan is moving to ban the inflight use of portable ‘power bank’ batteries on all domestic and international flights, effective from the middle of April.

It’s becoming an increasingly familiar scenario around the world, and comes ahead of new international rules due as early as March from the International Civil Aviation Organization.

According to Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, the nation’s transport ministry “will limit the number of power banks allowed on flights and effectively ban their onboard use starting in mid-April.”

This will include charging power banks during the flight via the plane’s AC or USB sockets.

Passengers are expected to be limited to bringing two spare batteries, each rated at no more than 100Wh, in their carry-on cabin bags.

Don’t confuse that Wh (Watt-hour) rating with the battery’s power output (measured in Watts) or its capacity (measured in milliampere-hours, or mAh).

That nominal 100Wh rating covers pretty much every power bank on the market – even the chunky Anker Laptop Power Bank, which has a maximum 165W output and 25,000 mAh capacity, is rated at just 90Wh.

Even this powerful Anker battery sits well under Qantas' 160Wh limit.

Power banks will continue to be prohibited from checked luggage – either bring them on board in your carry-on baggage, or leave them at home.

Many airlines across Asia now ban power packs from being used during a flight and also require passengers to keep the battery pack with them at their seat, rather than in the overhead locker.

The inflight risk of battery packs

Battery packs containing lithium-ion cells have become increasingly common among travellers as a way to recharge their mobile phones, tablets and even laptops.

According to the International Air Transport Association, almost 50% of passengers now travel with a power bank.

However, these devices run the risk of a process called “thermal runaway” if the battery malfunctions, with a rapid release of energy causing a chain reaction which produces extreme heat, fire or even an explosion.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported 34 lithium battery-related incidents in 2025, with 11 directly linked to personal battery packs, alongside a staggering 388% increase in lithium battery fires aboard US flights between 2015 and 2024.