A Foreign Tourist Who Lost 500,000 Won at Incheon Airport and Cried Loudly... Now Japan Joins In

Japan's Transport Ministry to Revise Aviation Act Notice
Portable batteries to be "banned" on aircraft from April

Japan is pushing to ban the use of portable batteries on board aircraft starting in April.

Tran Eli, an Australian resident, had a cordless hair straightener confiscated during a security screening while boarding a Sydney-bound flight at Incheon International Airport. Officials said the product was restricted because it used a built-in, non-removable lithium-ion battery that posed a fire risk. The straightener was an expensive beauty device worth about 500,000 won. Tran Eli, who had a cordless hair straightener confiscated at Incheon International Airport. Daily Mail

Wireless hair straightener confiscated at Incheon International Airport. Daily Mail

According to local media such as NHK on the 18th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan has decided to prohibit the use of portable batteries, including charging smartphones with them, on aircraft departing from Japan. The number of portable batteries that can be carried on board will also be limited to two per person.

The ministry is explaining this policy to the aviation industry and plans to revise aviation-related notifications and other regulations. This is a measure in response to battery fire incidents that have occurred on board aircraft both in Japan and overseas.

Yonhap News

Previously, South Korea had already seen airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines successively ban the use of portable batteries on board.