Japanese City Proposes Two-Hour Daily Smartphone Limit

A Japanese city is proposing to restrict smartphone use to just two hours a day outside of work or school.

Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture unveiled the draft proposal on August 22, with Mayor Masafumi Koki saying it is designed “to prevent excessive use of devices causing physical and mental health issues … including sleep problems.” 

The guidelines would not be legally binding, and no penalties would be imposed for exceeding the limit.

The ordinance also suggests children put their phones away at night, with elementary school students advised to avoid usage after 9pm, and junior high school students and older told to switch off by 10pm.

The plan sparked widespread criticism online, with users on X describing it as unrealistic. 

One person wrote: “I understand their intention, but the two-hour limit is impossible.”

Another user commented: “In two hours, I cannot even read a book or watch a movie (on my smartphone).” Others argued that such decisions should be left to families.

In response to the backlash, Mayor Koki clarified that the proposal was not mandatory and “acknowledges smartphones are useful and indispensable in daily life.”

If approved, the ordinance will take effect in October. Similar rules were introduced in 2020 by Kagawa Prefecture, which recommended children limit gaming and phone use in the evenings.