Japan eases in-flight rules on personal electronics

Following the lead of the USA, the European Union and, most recently, Australia, on Monday Japan eased the rules on the use of personal electronic devices during flights.

"The scope of electronic devices allowed on airplanes ... will be expanded depending on the aircraft types classified in accordance with tolerance to radio waves from portable devices," Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said in an announcement.

As of Sept. 1, passengers may use smartphones, tablets and other devices switched to "flight mode" at all times, including during take-offs and landings. And while the use of some electronic devices may still not be allowed on some types of aircraft, All Nippon Airways (ANA) notes on its website, devices including e-book readers, personal computers, DVD players and digital cameras are now permitted.

While the use of personal electronic devices has been expanded, "Your captain may request you to turn your electronic devices off depending on circumstances," Japan Airlines notes in its updated page outlining the use of personal electronic devices. "We may ask you to turn the electronic devices off when passengers with medical devices like pacemaker are around you," the airline adds.