How to Stay Charged Japan Bans Power Bank Use on Flights – New Rules Effective April 24, 2026Without Breaking the Rules
When traveling, power banks are indispensable, which is why they are among the essential gadgets for frequent flyers. They come in handy to ensure your devices stay charged so you can communicate, stay entertained on long‑haul flights, or navigate unfamiliar places. However, if you are planning a flight to Japan soon, your power bank will no longer be useful on board.
Recently, Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Ministry enacted a new policy that bans the use of portable power banks on flights into or out of the country. As per the new policy, which went into effect on April 24, 2026, portable power banks can no longer be used on airplanes—neither to charge devices nor to be plugged into the plane for charging. This policy might seem harsh, but the ministry made the choice following several incidents where these gadgets either caught fire or started releasing smoke inside airplanes, according to a report by NHK World‑Japan.
Japan Tightens Flight Rules on Portable Chargers
Japan’s new policy does not just prohibit the use of power banks and chargers in‑flight; it also restricts the number of power banks you can carry on board to two. This ban is meant to ensure passenger safety. Last year, Anker recalled over a million power banks following multiple incidents of fires and explosions. More recently, Casely and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall affecting over 400,000 portable chargers due to fire risk. The safety risks associated with power banks have led some airlines to independently impose restrictions on their use during flights.
Finnair announced in January 2026 that it had banned the use of portable chargers in‑flight, following other airlines such as Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways. Japan’s transport ministry says the new restrictions align with the latest rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), so it is likely that more airlines and government agencies will follow suit.
How to Stay Charged Without Breaking the Rules
Despite the new restrictions imposed by Japan on mobile charger use, you can still enjoy using your phone without worrying about running out of charge. One option is to pre‑charge all your devices before boarding, eliminating the need to top up before landing. Having a phone with excellent battery life certainly helps, as you can continue using it even on long flights without running out of power.
However, some phones have poor battery life and may not last for long periods. Even phones with the best battery life can drain quickly if you perform intensive tasks like gaming, which consume far more power than web browsing or watching videos. In that case, carry a cable and use in‑seat power outlets if available to top up your phone whenever needed.
