Latest news with #TransportandTourism
Japan Today
4 days ago
- Japan Today
All Tokyo Yamanote line services briefly suspended due to fire caused by power bank in bag
All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo were briefly suspended Sunday afternoon after a fire, likely caused by a power bank in a passenger's bag, left that passenger and four others with minor injuries, police said. Police quoted the passenger, a woman in her 30s, as saying that "the battery became hot when charging my smartphone, and (the phone) caught fire in around 30 seconds," burning her bag. The incident disrupted train traffic in the Japanese capital, affecting around 98,000 people, JR East said. The fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. on a train traveling between Shin-Okubo and Shinjuku stations. All services on the busy loop line were suspended but resumed by around 6:10 p.m. In addition to the woman, who suffered a burn on her finger, four others in their 20s to 50s were injured while trying to evacuate the train. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Incidents involving such batteries catching fire tend to increase between June and August, when temperatures are higher, according to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. The ministry bans travelers from placing mobile batteries in checked baggage on flights. Starting this month, it is also urging passengers to keep power banks within reach during flights, following a series of incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire onboard. © KYODO
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- The Mainichi
Fire in carry-on briefly halts Tokyo loop line, power bank suspected
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- All train services on the Yamanote loop line in central Tokyo were briefly suspended Sunday afternoon after a fire, likely caused by a power bank in a passenger's bag, left that passenger and four others with minor injuries, police said. Police quoted the passenger, a woman in her 30s, as saying that "the battery became hot when charging my smartphone, and (the phone) caught fire in around 30 seconds," burning her bag. The incident disrupted train traffic in the Japanese capital, affecting around 98,000 people, JR East said. The fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. on a train traveling between Shin-Okubo and Shinjuku stations. All services on the busy loop line were suspended but resumed by around 6:10 p.m. In addition to the woman, who suffered a burn on her finger, four others in their 20s to 50s were injured while trying to evacuate the train. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Incidents involving such batteries catching fire tend to increase between June and August, when temperatures are higher, according to the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. The ministry bans travelers from placing mobile batteries in checked baggage on flights. Starting this month, it is also urging passengers to keep power banks within reach during flights, following a series of incidents involving mobile batteries catching fire onboard.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- The Sun
Japan urges travellers to keep power banks accessible on flights
TOKYO: The Japanese government has started advising travellers to keep portable chargers within easy reach during flights following multiple reports of power banks catching fire mid-air. The new safety measure aims to prevent potential hazards caused by overheating or damaged lithium-ion batteries. Airport staff nationwide have begun requesting passenger cooperation, with All Nippon Airways employees at Tokyo's Haneda Airport reminding flyers not to store power banks in overhead compartments. A staff member stated, 'For safety, we would like to ask for understanding and cooperation.' Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in power banks, can ignite if physically damaged or degraded over time, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Current regulations prohibit power banks in checked baggage and restrict the number and capacity allowed in carry-on luggage. - Bernama-Kyodo
The Mainichi
09-07-2025
- The Mainichi
Travelers in Japan asked to keep power banks within reach on flights
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government on Tuesday began urging travelers to keep power banks within reach on airplanes following a series of incidents of mobile batteries catching fire on flights. Airline staff at airports across the country began asking flyers for their cooperation, with staff of All Nippon Airways group at a boarding point at Tokyo's Haneda airport urging against stowing power banks in overhead compartments onboard the aircraft. "For safety, we would like to ask for understanding and cooperation," one staff member said. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Mobile batteries are not allowed in checked baggage, and there are limits on the number and capacity permitted in carry-on luggage.
Kyodo News
08-07-2025
- Kyodo News
Travelers in Japan asked to keep power banks within reach on flights
TOKYO - The Japanese government on Tuesday began urging travelers to keep power banks within reach on airplanes following a series of incidents of mobile batteries catching fire on flights. Airline staff at airports across the country began asking flyers for their cooperation, with staff of All Nippon Airways group at a boarding point at Tokyo's Haneda airport urging against stowing power banks in overhead compartments onboard the aircraft. "For safety, we would like to ask for understanding and cooperation," one staff member said. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in power banks, can ignite upon physical impact or due to gradual degradation, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Mobile batteries are not allowed in checked baggage, and there are limits on the number and capacity permitted in carry-on luggage.
