As record numbers of tourists flock to Japan, taking advantage of the weak Japanese yen, some are encountering issues with authorities due to the rising popularity of motorized, rideable suitcases.

Two major Japanese airports have already requested that travelers refrain from riding motorized suitcases within their facilities, according to Kyodo News Agency. Meanwhile, police are urging domestic retailers to inform customers about the strict laws regarding their use.

Motorized luggage, similar to children’s scooters but powered by lithium-ion batteries, has become increasingly common among travelers and has been popularized by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Shilpa Shetty.

Japan currently classifies these electric suitcases, which are popular in other parts of Asia, as “motorized vehicles that can be ridden on roads only with the required safety equipment and a driving license,” according to Kyodo.

In June, a Chinese woman in her 30s, studying in Japan, was referred to prosecutors for driving without a license after allegedly riding a three-wheeled suitcase on a sidewalk in Osaka on March 31, according to Osaka Prefectural Police. Under Japan’s traffic laws, the woman's suitcase, which can travel up to 13 km/h, is categorized as a “motorized bicycle,” the same as some mopeds. In June, the police reiterated to the public that licenses are required for such mobile luggage.

In July, a boy from Indonesia rode a motorized suitcase past pedestrians in Osaka’s bustling Dotonbori shopping district. His family was surprised to learn that a driving license was mandatory for such vehicles in Japan, according to Kyodo.

Takeru Shibayama, a senior scientist at the Vienna University of Technology’s Institute for Transportation, suggested that Japan's broad range of vehicles categorized as motorized bicycles might necessitate a discussion about whether a new classification should be established for electric suitcases.

Japan has struggled to manage new forms of transportation recently. Traffic violations involving electric scooters surged fourfold in the six months after restrictions were eased in July 2023, according to the National Police Agency. The relaxed regulations allow people over age 16 to ride them without a driver's license, and they are now a common sight in big cities like Tokyo.