According to the announcement, backup chargers using lithium-ion batteries can cause fire if they are hit hard, have a short circuit or overcharged. In the past, some incidents have been recorded when the charger emits smoke or goes out of the air. This has led to Japanese authorities deciding to tighten regulations regarding the device.
The Ministry of Transport in coordination with the Japan schedule Aviation Association has agreed to ban passengers from charging in the luggage compartments above the head. Passengers are forced to leave the device in easily noticeable locations such as on the thighs or in the front seat bag. The goal is to ensure that if there are signs of overheating or smoke coming out, passengers and attendants can quickly detect and handle it.
Previously, Japan complied with the International Civil Aviation Organization's regulations by not allowing passengers to store spare batteries in their checked baggage. batteries with a capacity exceeding 43,000 mAh are completely banned; they are only allowed to carry a maximum of two batteries from 20,000 mAh to 43,000 mAh.
Charging electronic devices while flying is also limited. Passengers are only allowed to charge at locations where they can easily observe the condition of the device, avoiding leaving the charging device in a hidden location, making it difficult to detect the problem.
The new regulation was issued after a fire on an Air Busan flight at Gimhae International Airport, South Korea, injured three people. South Korean authorities suspect the cause of the fire was related to a backup charging device. In Japan, although similar incidents have occurred, there have been no serious casualties thanks to early detection.
The new measures aim to increase passenger safety, while warning tourists to strictly comply with regulations when flying to or from Japan.
