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If you're planning to fly to Japan soon – to see the cherry blossoms, for instance – there's going to be a new regulation going into effect that you might want to keep in mind: the use of power banks on flights to and from Japan will soon be strictly prohibited.
The decision, handed down by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, is meant to address safety concerns, as lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, leading to fire hazards and other risks during flights. With this new rule, passengers are banned from not only using portable banks to charge their devices, but also from using the plane's outlets to charge their power banks.
It's worth noting that mobile banks are still allowed on board (up to two per passenger) – you just can't use them. This is a change from the regulation put in place in July of last year, in which power banks could be used, but only if they remained in sight at all times.
The law is nothing out of the ordinary, as countries worldwide have begun implementing their own regulations on the use of power banks, including South Korea, Argentina, Australia and Germany, among others. In Japan, the new law is expected to go into effect as early as April.
So, if you'd like to fly about the country taking part in its many award-winning travel experiences, you might want to charge your devices before your flight.
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