A city in Japan has surprised many by proposing an unusual rule: limiting smartphone use to just two hours daily outside work or school.
The draft ordinance, announced in central Japan’s Toyoake City, is aimed at protecting mental and physical health.
However, the rule will not be binding and carries no penalties.
Mayor Masafumi Koki explained the reasoning behind the proposal in a statement released on Friday, August 22.
According to him, the goal is “to prevent excessive use of devices causing physical and mental health issues… including sleep problems.”
The draft also outlines suggested restrictions for children and teenagers.
Elementary school pupils are advised to stop using smartphones after 9:00 pm, while junior high students and older should avoid them after 10:00 pm.
In addition, the city highlighted growing concern about the impact of long screen time on sleep patterns and social behavior.
The plan echoes previous measures in other Japanese regions that tried to curb excessive gaming and smartphone use among youths.
The announcement quickly ignited debate on social media, where many users described the proposal as unrealistic.
One X user wrote: “In two hours, I cannot even read a book or watch a movie (on my smartphone).”Another added: “I understand their intention, but the two-hour limit is impossible.”
Others argued that decisions about screen time should remain within families rather than being recommended by authorities.
Koki emphasized that the draft “acknowledges smartphones are useful and indispensable in daily life,” but that moderation was still important.
The proposal is set to be considered next week, and if passed, will take effect in October.
This move is not entirely new in Japan. In 2020, the western Kagawa region became the first to adopt an ordinance limiting children’s gaming time.
That rule recommended one hour of gaming on weekdays and 90 minutes during school holidays, alongside curfews for smartphone use by age group.
Meanwhile, official data shows that Japanese youths spend slightly over five hours on average online each weekday, according to a March survey by the Children and Families Agency.
