Japan Travel Alert: New Aviation Rules Take Effect, Power Banks Fully "Frozen" in the Cabin

Japan’s new aviation safety rules are in effect. In line with guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Peach Aviation has fully tightened lithium battery controls in the cabin. Once on board, your power bank is just a brick forbidden from operating. During the flight, any charging or discharging involving power banks is strictly prohibited in the cabin.

Disconnected On-Board Power: Three Hard Rules

The new rules directly cut off private power dependence on board, with no room for compromise.

• Shrinking quantity and capacity: The limit is 2 per passenger. The capacity of a single unit is strictly limited to under 160Wh. Ultra-high-capacity “brick” type batteries are stopped at security check.
• No “power bank charging phone”: If your phone runs out of battery mid-flight, you are not allowed to pull out a power bank to rescue it. If a device’s battery is critically low, you can only use the USB socket provided at your seat.
• No “aircraft charging power bank”: It is strictly forbidden to use the aircraft’s socket to top up your power bank. If it is not fully charged before boarding, you can only wait until landing.

Preventing Thermal Runaway: Never Let the Battery Out of Sight

Behind the strict ban is entirely about preventing lithium battery “thermal runaway.” A sealed, pressurized cabin at high altitude cannot withstand any fast-spreading electrical fire.

This is also why existing regulations continue to be strongly enforced. Power banks are absolutely prohibited in checked baggage and may only be carried on your person. Once on board, they must never be stuffed into the overhead bin. They must be placed within sight, such as in a bag under your feet or in a seat pocket. If a smoking incident occurs, flight attendants can precisely extinguish it within the golden few seconds, avoiding an out-of-control situation in the overhead blind zone. At the same time, each battery must be isolated with an independent protective cover or storage bag to prevent contact points from colliding and causing a short circuit.

At high altitude, there is no room for luck. If you want to scroll your phone with peace of mind, charge it fully in the waiting lounge before boarding.