Japanese planes ban Wi-Fi gaming systems

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 2nd 2007 at 4:54PM }

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Japanese airplanes no longer allow gaming systems with wireless functions to be played on board. The revised law went into effect Monday and passengers are asked to not play systems like the Nintendo DS. Apparently Japan's transport ministry concluded the "electromagnetic waves emitted by the consoles have the ability to interfere with aircraft navigation systems and other devices."

Passengers are still allowed to use game systems that don't have wireless communications functions, so hopefully you didn't throw out that GBA yet. Wireless computer mouses and headphones not provided by the airlines are also banned now. No word yet if American planes will implement similar rules, but if they do they'd better drop the cost of liquor 'cause we'll be damned if we're actually going to start reading on flights.

Tags: airlines, banned, japan

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dude Love @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:58PM

Wireless computer mouses and headphones not provided by the airlines are also banned now.

So...it's like a movie theater where you're not supposed to bring your own food and drink?

Interesting. Considering I've done Wi-Fi with my DS many, many times on airplanes.

Chris @ Oct 2nd 2007 4:58PM

As someone who travels for business quite a bit. Please God don't let this happen in America. I need my gaming fix when I'm away from home!

deadmantyping @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:08PM

how does this work exactly? am i still allowed to play my DS but not use the wifi? I am perfectly fine with that, but try to take away my DS...no i don't even want to think about it.

T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:08PM

If this is really a valid safety hazard that cool with me, though I do not fly often. I do prefer to stare into a portable gaming device for the duration of the flight since im terrified of flying. "My Pokemanz, let them keep me distracted from the fear!"

Foxwind @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:13PM

Same. "I can ignore the turbulance if YOU'RE with me, Rocket Slime!" ...I used to be so not afraid of flying too. DAMN YOU AGE AND REALIZATIONS OF MORTALITY!

T3H WICKERMAN (FDF) @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:17PM

Almost done with rocket slime man is that a great adventure game! On topic: So as long as I dont multi play or try to get online would the wifi still be active?

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:30PM

As a Frequent traveler this sucks but since Is Japan only OK I think I will only go to Japan 3 times in my entire life well maybe 4 but then again without my PSP or my Ds what the hell I’m supposed to do in 15 hours? Sleep? I hope is one of those Big ass planes where you can walk around.

I have to say is pretty scary and cool being on a plane but as anyone in the business will tell you rarely a plane crashes or other shit but I have to say Continental flights are scary as hell but they are totally safe.

BTW someone form the UK can tell if the DS or PSP are really banned from planes because I’m probably going there again.

LaughingTarget @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:12PM

Ah, finally went through with it.

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/28/japan-to-ban-wi-fi-gaming-on-planes/

Again, gotta go back to the old FAA. They're the world's smallest sphinxter, yet they aren't banning it. Airlines are generally not supposed to be carrying any equipment that can easily be interfered by commercial frequencies.

Word of the street(IDF-Digital Ruler). @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:19PM

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/30

For great Lulz.

Noshino @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:40PM

mmmm....

"Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Business"

*still thinking why it was filled under Wii*

AgentESPIO7 @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:57PM

Duh, so everyone will stop playing the Wii on flights.

Barry @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:53PM

Next they'll outlaw bombs.

LaughingTarget @ Oct 2nd 2007 5:59PM

Then how are people going to get their copy of Lair from Japan to the US?

Anticrawl @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:06PM

Bah-Zing!!!!

n_revolution9 @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:05PM

Huh?

(Goes back to playing Halo DS on Japanese plane.)

Anticrawl @ Oct 2nd 2007 6:05PM

This just in, pacemakers, defibrillators, and the portable insulin pump are now restricted during in-flight activity.

If you think this won't come to be in America you're dead wrong, our airline association has been impowered by homeland security to a point where they are all but God. Just a few days ago they threw a woman in a holding cell, handcuffed for 10 hours because she was upset they wouldn't let her on her flight and expressed her anger for not being there. She never said she was going to hurt anyone or anything but was denied her right to be upset over poor customer service and outragious business practices. Did I mention this woman died of strangulation? Her hands where handcuffed behind her back and she was in a cell, wonder how that happened. If they go as far as killing people because they're upset they didn't get what they paid for there's no telling what might go down when they pass restrictions against wi-fi capable devices.

AlfaMike @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:37AM

Um Anticrawl it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you, eh buddy?

I'm with Foxwind up there, when I was a kid I had no fear of flying but now I think the airlines should let us each have whatever it takes to get through our flight without having a panic attack; book, DS, ipod, whatever it takes to chill you out.

Lemmiwinks @ Oct 2nd 2007 7:53PM

The the misinformation mill keeps on turning...

Shidarin @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:14PM

As Mythbusters showed a little while ago, this is complete BS. I'm just surprised it came from the land of Nintendo, rather than America.

-Shidarin
http://www.grenadehop.com/

ThornedVenom @ Oct 2nd 2007 10:51PM

Somebody make them watch Mythbusters. =P

I play wi-fi on the plane, but not during take-off nor landing. ;)

Shiaoran @ Oct 3rd 2007 12:41AM

It's been like this here in Brazil for ages... What took Japan so long? :P

Lekko @ Oct 3rd 2007 5:46AM

So, since the PSP has a switch to leave wifi off completely, is that going to be banned too?

Hey, at least it can emulate fun games.

t_m @ Oct 5th 2007 7:50AM

I played my DS on the flight from okinawa to tokyo on thursday.. the flight attendants didn't seem bothered.

As far as I could decipher the safety booklet, the DS was fine, as long as you didn't use the wireless function. (which i assume doesn't get turned on unless you use a game that uses it.. or pictochat. right?)