Overview
- Japan’s transport ministry has informed airlines that using mobile batteries in cabins will be prohibited from April, and charging them via seat power outlets will also be barred.
- The ministry is preparing to restrict passengers to no more than two spare batteries or power banks regardless of capacity, according to multiple reports.
- The shift is intended to align with an ICAO decision expected in March that would set a two-item limit and recommend prohibiting in-flight charging and use.
- Under current Japanese practice, such batteries are banned from checked luggage, carry-ons over 160 Wh are prohibited, 100–160 Wh are limited to two, and items under 100 Wh have no numeric cap.
- Airlines are expected to update cabin procedures and passenger communications as legal notices are revised to implement the new limits.