Smoke rising from a bag of collected combustible waste containing a product with a lithium-ion battery. (Courtesy of the Tokyo Fire Department)
The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC) has issued a warning on its official X account about the risk of power bank fires. The agency reports a series of incidents in which lithium-ion batteries have caught fire or emitted smoke due to impact or deterioration.
Train Fire Incident
Power banks are widely seen as essential and convenient, especially during large-scale events like Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. However, accidents continue to occur. On July 20, a passenger's power bank caught fire on a JR Yamanote Line inner-loop train, causing minor injuries to five people.
In response, the NCAC released a video demonstrating how power banks can ignite. It also shared safety tips, including: "Stop using the battery if it appears swollen" and "Avoid placing it in hot or enclosed environments."
Recalled Product
The power bank involved in the incident had previously been recalled due to similar problems. The Osaka-based company that sold the product issued an apology on its website. "We deeply apologize to our customers and all concerned parties for the great concern and inconvenience caused," the statement read. The company again urged users not to use the recalled product.
According to the Consumer Affairs Agency, about 39,300 units of the product were sold between December 2019 and August 2021. Since fiscal year 2021, there have been 16 reported fire incidents involving the device.
In light of similar incidents on passenger aircraft, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has also issued guidance. Passengers are advised not to store power banks in overhead compartments during charging. Instead, they should keep them within reach to monitor their condition at all times.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
