The city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, has put forward a non-binding ordinance encouraging residents to limit daily smartphone use to two hours outside of work or school. The move—aimed at addressing sleep issues, addiction, and overall health—is slated for debate this October and could take effect soon after.
Why Now?
Japanese youth reportedly spend just over five hours daily online during weekdays—raising alarms about the mental and physical consequences of excessive screen time. The initiative seeks to spark awareness rather than enforce curfews.
Mayor Masafumi Koki explained clearly: the two-hour cap is only a guideline, not a policy bound by penalties. His intention is to prompt families to thoughtfully assess daily digital habits.
Who It Targets (and When)
The draft ordinance includes tailored recommendations based on age:
- Elementary school-age children (6–12 years old) are urged to avoid smartphone use after 9 p.m.
- Teenagers and adults are advised to desist by 10 p.m.
These timelines are meant to help ensure adequate sleep, especially for children.
Voluntary Measures, But Mixed Reactions
Since the announcement, over 80% of public input—comprising 83 calls and 44 emails—reflected negative sentiment, citing concerns over practicality and personal freedom.
On social media (X), residents criticized the limits as unrealistic:
“I understand their intention, but the two-hour limit is impossible.”
“Two hours isn’t even enough to read a book or watch a movie (on my smartphone).”
Mayor Koki reiterated that there are no punishments—the hope is this guideline will be a starting point for family discussions on digital balance.
A Growing Trend
This proposed policy isn’t Japan’s first venture into voluntary tech restrictions. In 2020, Kagawa Prefecture recommended one hour of weekday gaming for children, and 90 minutes during holidays, with suggested smartphone curfews depending on age.
Toyoake’s initiative marks the first time such a proposal extends to all age groups, not just minors.
FAQs
1.
Will there be any penalties if people exceed the two-hour limit?
No. The ordinance is non-binding and carries no legal or financial penalties. It’s designed as a voluntary guideline, encouraging reflection rather than enforcement.
Mayor Koki emphasized it’s about promoting healthier habits, not restricting freedoms.
2.
What evidence supports this two-hour recommendation?
The central driver is concern over excessive screen time and its impact on sleep, mental health, and daily life—especially among young people. Research shows that Japanese youth spend an average of just over five hours online per weekday.
Past initiatives—like the one in Kagawa Prefecture—have experimented with voluntary limits to foster healthier digital habits, particularly in children.
The current proposal expands on those ideas by:
- Covering all age groups, not just minors.
- Introducing curfews for nighttime use to support better sleep routines.
- Serving as a prompt for dialogue within families about screen time balance.
In summary: Toyoake’s proposal is a voluntary, discussion-starter approach meant to shine a light on smartphone dependency—especially at night—and encourage families to find healthier digital habits together.
