Japan to ban in-flight power bank usage from April 2026 – here's all you need to know

Here’s an important PSA for those visiting Japan from April: make sure your phone is fully charged before boarding your flight.

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has announced that the use of power banks will effectively be banned on planes from April 2026, tightening rules on portable lithium-ion batteries in the cabin. The new restrictions apply to all flights flying to and from Japan, including transit passengers passing through Japanese airports.

For many travellers, especially those on budget airlines where seat sockets are a rare luxury, this marks the end of casually "topping up" your battery at 35,000 feet. While power banks are already prohibited in checked baggage, the new rules will further restrict their carriage onboard. High-capacity batteries exceeding 160Wh remain strictly banned, and devices below that threshold will be limited to two units per traveller. And while you can bring your power banks onboard, in-flight use or charging will be strictly prohibited.

The decision follows growing global concern over lithium-ion battery fires. According to Japan’s National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, there were 123 mobile battery-related accidents in 2024 alone. Aviation authorities worldwide have been reassessing cabin safety standards, and Japan’s latest move aligns with international ICAO guidelines aimed at reducing in-flight fire risks.

Japan isn’t alone in this crackdown. South Korea recently implemented similar restrictions across major carriers, including Korean Air, Asiana Airlines and several budget airlines, following high-profile battery-related incidents. Scoot, Thai Airways and China Airlines have also rolled out “no-charge” policies in 2025.

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