What this guide covers
- Items that can be carried on board but cannot go in checked baggage (your suitcase)
- Examples of items not allowed in either
For power banks, for example, MLIT's flyer notes that lithium-ion batteries may emit smoke or catch fire due to impact or damage, and asks passengers not to put them in checked baggage but always to carry them on board.
Source: MLIT: "To All Passengers: Regarding Bringing Power Banks on Board" (English version) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
1. Allowed in carry-on, not allowed in checked baggage
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Power banks (160Wh or less) | Up to 2 per person allowed | Not allowed |
| Spare lithium ion batteries (100Wh or less, e.g. camera batteries) | Allowed (no quantity limit) | Not allowed |
| Spare lithium ion batteries (over 100Wh up to 160Wh) | Allowed (up to 2 in total with power banks) | Not allowed |
| Spare lithium metal batteries (2g lithium content or less) | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Lighters and matches for smoking (small ones) | Up to 1 (on your person) | Not allowed |
| E-cigarettes (including heated tobacco) | Allowed (do not charge on board) | Not allowed |
| Pacemakers and other medical devices implanted in the body or fitted externally (battery-powered) | Allowed | Not allowed |
Protect spare batteries against short circuits, for example by covering the terminals. Bags with batteries (smart baggage) may not be checked depending on the battery size (see Items with batteries).
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
2. Examples of items not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage
| Item | Carry-on baggage | Checked baggage |
|---|---|---|
| Power banks and spare lithium ion batteries over 160Wh | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Power banks with sodium-ion batteries | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Oil lighters without absorbent cotton (tank lighters), strike-anywhere matches | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Lighter fuel (gas, oil) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Fireworks, bleach, paint, gasoline and similar items also cannot go in either (see Items not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage).
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
3. Items you can check, with care
- Devices with batteries such as laptops and cameras (160Wh or less) can also be checked, but switch them off completely and protect them so they cannot be switched on (see Items with batteries)
- On international flights, liquids over 100ml cannot be carried on board, so put them in checked baggage (see Liquid rules on flights)
Source: MLIT: "Examples of Dangerous Goods by Air Transportation" (English version, last updated April 24, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
Source: MLIT Civil Aviation Bureau: "Security Control for Screening Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) carried into International Passenger Flights departing from Airports in Japan" (English version) (retrieved 2026-09-27)
Some airlines have stricter rules. On international flights, rules of other countries' authorities may also apply.