#Japan #Tokyo #Lithium Ion Battery #NITE #safety report

NITE Releases 2025 Accident Data Report

In a recent announcement, the Japan-based independent administrative institution, NITE (National Institute of Technology and Evaluation), published its report detailing accident data compiled up until 2025. This report, traditionally released in spring each year, collates various statistical data concerning product-related accidents that have been amassed over the last several years. In the autumn, NITE plans to follow this report with an Accident Information Analysis Report that will shed light on societal trends as revealed through the accidents.

The 2025 Accident Data Report significantly highlights an uptick in the number of incidents involving mobile chargers, primarily rechargeable batteries. These types of accidents have notably increased over recent years, and by 2025, mobile battery-related accidents have outstripped those concerning lithium-ion batteries, making them the most prevalent cause of product accidents.

This troubling trend underscores the ongoing risk associated with battery-powered devices, particularly given that incidents concerning battery-related products remain on the higher end of the spectrum, with many accidents still occurring involving lithium-powered devices. NITE aims to utilize the findings of these investigations to raise public awareness regarding safety measures and to continue its efforts to prevent further incidents.

Overview of Accident Trends

The report provides a comprehensive view of accident occurrences and breaks them down into categories of similar products. A table included in the report presents the top ten product groups with the highest accident occurrence over the past five years. These groups consistently include batteries, air conditioners, lighting fixtures, and furniture, indicating that accidents have been persistently high across these categories. Notably, mobile battery chargers, which were not prominent in 2021, have climbed to the top of this list by 2025, surpassing even the broader category of battery-related incidents.

A visual representation (Figure 6 in the report) shows the progression of accident occurrences between 2016 and 2025, categorized by the type of damage inflicted. Instances resulting in property damage have been notably more frequent than those causing personal injury. By 2025, incidents resulting in personal injuries accounted for only 15.3% of total accidents, while property damage represented a staggering 84.4%. Moreover, there has been an observable increase in incidences of fire-related accidents initiated by product categories such as batteries, chargers, air conditioners, computers, lighting fixtures, and electric shavers, leading to a growth in fire incident numbers since 2020.

Additionally, demographic patterns indicate that older age groups are increasingly susceptible to both fire-related and fatal accidents. Individuals over 80 years old, for instance, suffer the majority of fatal incidents, with 63.3% involving fire-related accidents. Heating equipment like stoves and fan heaters were identified as significant contributing factors to these tragedies.

NITE's Ongoing Safety Advocacy

NITE is dedicated to promoting safety through the dissemination of information regarding consumer product incidents. They collect accident information related to consumer products and investigate the root causes, publishing findings to avert future accidents and enhance overall public safety. Regular updates are shared through various channels, including monthly press releases, the