This City Limits Smartphone use to Two Hours a Day — Citizens Divided over the Rule
This City Limits Smartphone use to Two Hours a Day — Citizens Divided over the Rule
The new guideline aims to promote better sleep and family time, but many residents call it unnecessary interference.
In a first-of-its-kind move, the city of Toyoake in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture has issued a directive urging residents to limit smartphone use to no more than two hours a day outside of work or study. The rule, which came into effect on October 1, was introduced by Mayor Masafumi Koki in response to growing concerns about excessive screen time affecting sleep and overall health.
The local government sent out emails to residents and teachers, advising them to reduce screen time and spend more time with family instead. For children, specific time limits have also been set — those aged 6 to 12 are advised to avoid smartphones after 9 pm, while teens and adults are encouraged to stop using them after 10 pm.
Explaining the rationale, Mayor Koki told Japanese media, “People keep staring at screens for hours and lose track of time. It affects their sleep and health. This guideline is meant to encourage healthier habits.” However, he clarified that there would be no penalties for breaking the rule, calling it “a guideline, not an enforcement.”
Despite good intentions, the decision has sparked mixed reactions. Some residents have praised the initiative. Local citizen Moriyama said, “Now I read books and go to the gym instead of scrolling on my phone.” Another student, Akari, admitted, “It’s hard not to use my phone on the train, but since I cut back, my days feel longer and better.”
Others, however, criticized the move as overreach. One local leader commented, “In one word, this is not the government’s business.” Another said the rule “may be well-intentioned but is completely meaningless.”
According to Japanese media outlet Mainichi, over 120 people contacted city officials about the rule, with nearly 80% opposing the idea.
This isn’t Japan’s first experiment with screen-time regulation. In 2020, Kagawa Prefecture introduced guidelines limiting screen use for minors to one hour on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends.
