Japan to Enforce Stricter Battery Rules for Safer Air Travel

In response to rising global concerns over lithium battery-related incidents on aircraft, Japan is now set to join countries like the US, Canada, Singapore, the UK, and South Korea in enforcing new, tighter in-flight battery controls and air travel safety regulations. Beginning July 8, 2025, Japan will ban passengers from storing power banks in overhead compartments on flights operated by ANA, JAL, and other domestic carriers. This move aligns with international aviation safety standards and aims to reduce fire risks by requiring passengers to carry and monitor their power banks throughout the flight. Japan is preparing to align itself with a growing list of global aviation leaders by enforcing stricter safety protocols for lithium battery-powered devices, particularly power banks, onboard commercial flights. Beginning July 8, 2025, a new regulation issued by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) will prohibit passengers from storing power banks in overhead compartments. Instead, travelers must keep them within easy reach for monitoring throughout the flight. This safety-first initiative applies to Japan’s major carriers, including All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines (JAL), and 19 other members of the Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan. The rule revision stems from growing international concern over lithium-ion battery fires, with multiple inflight incidents—both domestically and abroad—linked to power banks overheating or catching fire mid-flight.