Japan doubles fuel surcharges and limits power banks to 2 per nomad

In-flight battery rules got tighter

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism now limits passengers to two power banks each, with a maximum capacity of 160 Wh per battery. The rule took effect April 24 and power banks must go in carry-on bags only, not checked luggage.

Passengers can’t charge power banks from seat outlets or USB ports during flights and they can’t use them to charge phones or tablets in the cabin. Japan also says power banks should stay in seat pockets, not overhead bins, under the updated safety rules. The changes follow a rise in lithium-ion battery fire and smoke incidents on aircraft, per the ministry and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Travelers and nomads face higher costs

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have doubled fuel surcharges on international tickets booked May 1 to June 30, hitting routes to North America, Europe and South Korea hard. JAL raised its surcharge for North America and Europe from ¥29,000 to ¥56,000 per passenger, while ANA set the same level for those routes.

The higher fees affect tourists, expats and digital nomads booking flights from Japan. The surcharge tiers also expanded from 15 to 18 levels, giving airlines more room to adjust prices as fuel costs move.

What to change before you fly

Check your battery count and capacity before heading to the airport and keep power banks in your personal item where you can reach them. If your device charging routine depends on cabin power, plan to leave electronics topped up before boarding.

For international trips booked through June 30, compare total fare costs carefully because the surcharge increase can add a large amount to long-haul tickets. Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture. For more visa updates, keep an eye on our latest briefs.