FORKARIUMPETTY COURT
FORKARIUM

CASE #009: The Seat 23B Power Bank

Can you charge your phone from a power bank on a plane in Japan?

The parties are fictional. The evidence is real.

VERIFIED FACTS

Every sentence here links to an official source you can open.

The verdict

GUILTY

No. Under rules from Japan's transport ministry that apply from April 24, 2026, passengers may carry at most two power banks of 160 Wh or less, and may not charge a power bank in flight or use one to charge other devices.[1]

1 official source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (国土交通省)Checked Oct 29, 2026

The evidence

A plain power bank with a short cable on an airplane tray table

Exhibit A

Japan's transport ministry: carry-on power banks are limited to two, each 160 Wh or less.

Exhibit B

Japan's transport ministry: do not charge a power bank in flight, and do not charge other electronic devices from a power bank in flight.

Exhibit C

The new rules apply from April 24, 2026, and follow international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Questions people ask

How many power banks can you bring on a plane in Japan?

Two, each 160 Wh or less, under the transport ministry's rules from April 24, 2026.

Can you charge the power bank itself on board?

No. The ministry's rules say not to charge a power bank in flight.

DRAMATIZATION

This part is made up for fun. Names, people and events are fictional.

The case

A nervous passenger in a neck pillow and a relaxed passenger charging a phone from a power bank
PlaintiffSeat 23A
DefendantSeat 23B

Timeline

  1. Takeoff +0:10A domestic flight in Japan. Seat 23B pulls a chunky power bank from a bag.
  2. Takeoff +0:11The phone goes on charge. The power bank sits on the tray table, glowing.
  3. Takeoff +0:12Seat 23A stares at it. Then stares at 23B. Then at it again.
  4. Takeoff +0:15A complaint is whispered across the armrest.

The claims

Plaintiff: Seat 23A

You cannot do that on a plane anymore. They changed the rules.

Defendant: Seat 23B

It is my battery and my phone. I am not bothering anyone.

A pug judge in a powdered wig hears a nervous passenger accuse the passenger beside them of charging a phone from a power bank

The court's sentence

GUILTY. PLUG INTO THE SEAT INSTEAD.

SentenceThe power bank is sentenced to stay switched off in the seat pocket until landing. The defendant may charge the phone from the seat's own outlet, if the plane has one, and must apologize to 23A.

Sources

  1. Source 1

    Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (国土交通省)

    モバイルバッテリーの機内持込みの新たなルールについて～４月24日から新たなルールを適用します～

    www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/kouku10_hh_000310.html

    Published Apr 14, 2026Checked Oct 29, 2026

    国際民間航空機関（ＩＣＡＯ）が定める国際基準に基づき、モバイルバッテリーを航空輸送する際の安全基準を定めており ... 機内持込みのモバイルバッテリーは２個（160Ｗｈ以下に限る）まで ... 機内においてモバイルバッテリーへの充電をしないこと ... 機内においてモバイルバッテリーから他の電子機器への充電をしないこと ... 適用開始：令和８年４月24日（金）
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