A Japanese city of nearly 70,000 residents has implemented an unprecedented, albeit symbolic, ordinance urging all citizens to cap their recreational screen time on smartphones and other digital devices at two hours per day. The measure, which took effect October 1 in Toyoake, a city in Aichi Prefecture, is non-binding and carries no penalties, but local officials hope it will prompt a widespread reevaluation of digital habits and their health consequences.
The ordinance is primarily aimed at combating what the city’s mayor sees as a growing crisis of sleep deprivation and social isolation directly linked to excessive device use. While excluding time spent on screens for work or school, the guidelines specifically recommend that elementary school students cease phone use by 9 p.m., with a 10 p.m. cutoff suggested for junior high students and all older residents. The goal, according to officials, is not to enforce a strict rule but to encourage self-regulation and start a community-wide conversation about digital well-being.
A Guideline, Not a Mandate
The ordinance, approved by the Toyoake city council in late September with a 12-7 vote, serves as a strong recommendation rather than a law with punitive power. Mayor Masafumi Koki has emphasized that the city government will not track residents’ phone usage or impose fines for exceeding the suggested two-hour recreational limit. The initiative is designed to be a conversation starter, a tool for families to establish their own household rules, and a prompt for individuals to reflect on their daily habits.
The guidelines are part of a broader municipal effort to promote healthier lifestyles. To support families, the city plans to establish a system for parents to seek advice and guidance on managing their children’s screen time. The ordinance applies to all digital devices, including smartphones, gaming consoles, and tablets, acknowledging their integral role in modern life while cautioning against their overuse, particularly for passive activities like video streaming.
Official Rationale and Motivation
Mayor Koki has been vocal about his concerns, stating that the primary purpose of the ordinance is to help residents secure sufficient sleep and foster more direct, face-to-face communication. He pointed to the common sight of people absorbed in their phones on public transport as a new normal he wished to challenge. “With nothing else to do, they spend hours staring at screens. Day turns to night, their sleep suffers, and the cycle repeats,” Koki said in an interview, expressing particular concern for junior high students who often have their own phones and private rooms.
The mayor explained that the two-hour figure was chosen to make people conscious of their usage. “If someone hears two hours, they’ll stop and think about how long they really use their smartphone. That’s the point,” he clarified after initial criticism. The city’s message to students and parents emphasized being mindful of health and discussing device limits as a family.
A Community Divided
The proposal was met with significant backlash when it was first announced in August, with many online critics calling the plan unrealistic and an infringement on personal freedom. City lawmaker Mariko Fujie was a prominent opponent, labeling the ordinance “total nonsense” and an overreach. “I feel a strong resistance to regulating people’s personal free time through an ordinance,” Fujie stated, adding that many of her supporters found the city’s stance to be condescending.
However, Mayor Koki reported that much of the initial opposition softened once the public understood that the limit was a non-mandatory guideline that excluded work and study. The reaction among residents remains mixed. Some, like 22-year-old law student Shutaro Kihara, find the measure “meaningless” for young people who integrate studying, hobbies, and communication through their devices. Yet others have embraced the prompt; one resident reported successfully cutting his daily screen time from eight hours to under two, using the extra time for reading, studying, and exercise.
Scientific Context on Screen Time
Impact on Sleep
The mayor’s focus on sleep is supported by a large body of scientific research. Studies consistently show that screen time, especially before bed, disrupts sleep patterns in adolescents. The light from screens can delay the body’s natural circadian rhythms, while engaging content can make it harder to fall asleep, leading to shorter sleep duration and poorer overall sleep quality. This sleep deprivation is linked to impaired cognitive performance, affecting memory and learning.
Mental Health and Academic Links
Beyond sleep, research has found correlations between high levels of screen use and adverse mental health outcomes in young people. Multiple studies have linked excessive screen time to an increased risk of anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. One large-scale longitudinal study involving nearly 11,000 participants found that greater weekend screen time was associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms a year later, particularly in girls. Conversely, adequate sleep was shown to be a protective factor. Poor sleep and mental health can, in turn, negatively affect academic performance.
A Precedent in Japan
Toyoake’s ordinance is not the first of its kind in Japan, though it is the first to apply a recommended time limit to all residents. In 2020, the Kagawa Prefectural Government issued an ordinance specifically targeting gaming addiction among children. That measure called for limiting gaming to one hour on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends and holidays for those under 18. These local government actions reflect a growing national concern. A survey published in March by Japan’s Children and Families Agency found that, on average, Japanese youth spend just over five hours online each weekday, highlighting the scale of the challenge these ordinances seek to address.