Overview
- The Consumer Affairs Agency estimated about 2,350 fires and other failures tied to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries during fiscal years 2020–2024 using entries from the Accident Information Databank.
- Reports were most concentrated in smartphones at roughly 350 cases, followed by electric-assist bicycles and mobile batteries at about 300 each.
- Additional high-incident categories included cordless vacuum cleaners, rechargeable power tools, and laptop computers at around 250 cases apiece, according to Asahi Shimbun.
- NHK reported that recall-linked cases related to lithium-ion battery fires may exceed 100, reflecting ongoing product safety actions.
- Officials urged consumers to avoid shocks and heat, refrain from charging during sleep, fully discharge batteries before disposal, and follow local guidance for discarding devices.