A city in central Japan has introduced new guidelines encouraging residents to restrict their leisure phone use to two hours a day, amid growing concern about the impact of excessive screen time on health and sleep. Toyoake, a city of around 68,000 people in the Aichi region, implemented the policy on 1 October. The local government sent messages to schoolchildren and parents, advising them to be mindful of how much time they spend on smartphones and tablets, and to discuss their usage habits with family members. Officials said the main aim of the measure is to ensure that young people get enough sleep each night.
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Mayor Masafumi Koki explained that many young students spend long hours using their phones after being given their own rooms and devices, leading to poor sleep and disrupted routines. Although Koki himself uses his phone regularly, he has called on residents to limit non-work and non-educational use, especially during the evenings. He suggested that children aged six to twelve should stop using devices by 9 p.m., while older students and adults should switch off by 10 p.m. However, the proposal has been met with criticism from those who view it as an infringement on personal freedoms.
Local lawmaker Mariko Fujie condemned the initiative as unnecessary government interference, describing it as “condescending” and “nonsense”. Critics have also questioned whether the two-hour limit is supported by scientific evidence. Despite the backlash, the city assembly approved the measure in September by a 12–7 vote. Officials have since clarified that the recommendation is not legally binding and that there will be no monitoring or penalties for exceeding the suggested limit. Mayor Koki said the figure was never meant to be a strict rule but rather a symbolic guideline to prompt people to reflect on their habits.
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While the ordinance has divided opinion, some residents have taken the advice to heart. Local resident Shoki Moriyama reduced his daily screen time from eight hours to under two, saying he now spends more time reading, studying, and exercising. University student Akari Saito also acknowledged the challenge but admitted that cutting back made her days feel longer and more fulfilling. Studies cited by Japanese media suggest that heavy digital use is linked to poorer well-being among children and teenagers, affecting academic performance, mental health, and family relationships.
