Tokyo: Japan's transport ministry announced on Tuesday that new restrictions on portable chargers during flights will be implemented starting April 24, following a series of incidents involving these devices on airplanes.

According to Philippines News Agency, the new regulations will limit each passenger to bringing no more than two power banks in their carry-on luggage, with each device having a capacity of 160 watt-hours or less. Furthermore, passengers will be prohibited from charging these batteries or using them to charge electronic devices such as smartphones during flights.

Current regulations, which require portable chargers to be carried in the cabin rather than checked baggage, will remain in effect. Passengers must keep these devices within reach and refrain from placing them in overhead compartments or other storage areas. Violations of the new rules, such as charging portable batteries onboard or exceeding the charger limit, could result in penalties, including a prison term of up to two years or a fine of up to 1 million yen.

The decision to implement stricter domestic regulations comes after the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized U.N. agency responsible for setting global aviation rules, adopted new international standards last month. The move aims to address safety concerns after multiple incidents of portable chargers catching fire or emitting smoke on planes both in Japan and internationally.