A quiet city in Japan is stirring up a big debate about our phone habits. Officials in Toyoake, a city within Aichi Prefecture, want everyone to cut down on smartphone use. They are suggesting people limit their daily screen time to just two hours. This rule would not count time spent using phones for work or school. The idea is to help people avoid common health issues like trouble sleeping and too much stress, which often come from being glued to a screen.
Masafumi Koki, the mayor of Toyoake, made it clear this is not a strict law. Nobody will get in trouble for going over the two-hour mark. Instead, it’s a friendly nudge, a way to remind folks that too much phone time can be bad for their minds and bodies. The mayor hopes people will think more about how long they spend staring at their screens.
The advice goes further for younger people. Elementary school kids should put their phones away by 9:00 PM. Older kids, like those in junior high and high school, should stop using their phones after 10:00 PM. These times are set to make sure young people get enough rest and have time away from digital distractions.
But not everyone is happy about these suggestions. Many people quickly voiced their disapproval. They argued that a two-hour limit just isn’t practical in today’s world. Others felt that decisions about screen time should stay within families, not come from city officials. It became a lively discussion about personal freedom versus public guidance.
Seeing the strong reactions, Mayor Koki spoke up again. He stressed that his proposal is simply a helpful guideline. It is not meant to be a harsh rule. He admitted that smartphones are a big part of daily life for most people. However, he believes using them in moderation can really lower health risks.
The proposed advice will soon go before the city council for a vote. If it passes, it could officially start as early as October. This isn’t the first time an area in Japan has tried to manage digital device use. Back in 2020, Kagawa Prefecture suggested limits on video game time. They recommended kids play no more than one hour on school days and 90 minutes during holidays. That advice also included phone curfews for different age groups of teenagers.
These suggestions come as concerns about screen time grow. A survey from March 2025 by the Children and Families Agency showed something interesting. On school days, Japanese young people spend over five hours online, on average. This number is much higher than what mental health experts typically advise for healthy development. The challenge, it seems, is finding a balance between staying connected and staying healthy.
Source: channelnewsasia.com