Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. on Saturday started conducting security checks for powdery substances in carry-on luggage on U.S.-bound flights.
Under the new regulations introduced at the request of the U.S. government, passengers will not be allowed to bring more than 350 milliliters of powder-like substances into the cabin.
Items subject to the new regulations include sugar, salt, flour and cosmetics. Passengers can travel with these items if they keep them in their checked luggage.
Baby formula, medicines and cremated remains will be allowed in hand luggage if deemed safe, according to the airliners.
Certain types of powders can be used to make improvised explosive devices.
Six airports in Japan handles routes to the U.S. — New Chitose, Haneda, Narita, Chubu, Kansai and Fukuoka.
According to airport officials, screening takes place near the boarding gates and is conducted on the hand luggage of randomly selected passengers who have already been through security.
The latest measure follows another U.S.-requested regulation, introduced in July 2017, that requires airports to check for potential explosives in laptop and tablet computers and other electronic devices.