Japan has barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from airplanes, mirroring moves by US regulators and a string of carriers that banned the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.<br/><br/>The weekend announcement from Japan's transport ministry<br/>follows an earlier warning that asked airlines to urge passengers not to turn on or charge the smartphones on aircraft.<br/><br/>A transport ministry official said that however, aviation authorities went a step further on Saturday, ordering airlines to ban the devices completely.<br/><br/>Japan's move came after US transport authorities on Friday issued an emergency order banning the phones and saying anyone attempting to travel with the recalled handsets may face fines and have the devices confiscated.<br/><br/>Australian and New Zealand airlines have banned the phone from all planes.