In the quiet town of Toyoake, nestled in Japan’s Aichi prefecture, a radical proposal is stirring controversy: a call for all residents, from children to adults, to cap their daily smartphone use at just two hours. The initiative, currently under discussion by the town’s municipal assembly, seeks to address mounting concerns over the mental and physical toll of excessive screen time. While the measure is non-binding and carries no penalties, it has ignited a fierce debate about personal freedom, public health, and the role of technology in modern life.
The draft ordinance, expected to face a vote by late September, aims to encourage healthier digital habits across all age groups. For children aged six to 12, the proposal recommends shutting off smartphones and tablets by 9 p.m. Teenagers and adults are urged to follow suit by 10 p.m. Mayor Masafumi Koki, the driving force behind the initiative, frames it as a response to growing evidence linking prolonged smartphone use to sleep deprivation, behavioral issues, and strained family interactions. “Our goal is to foster a dialogue about how we engage with technology,” Koki said in a recent statement, emphasizing that the two-hour limit is a guideline, not a mandate.
Toyoake’s proposal is unprecedented in its scope, targeting not just children but the entire population of 69,000. It reflects a broader cultural reckoning in Japan, where concerns about technology’s impact are mounting. A 2025 survey by Japan’s Children and Families Agency found that young people spend an average of five hours daily online on weekdays, a statistic that has alarmed health experts. Toyoake officials point to local reports of children skipping school to stay glued to their screens and adults neglecting family time in favor of their devices.
Yet the proposal has met with sharp resistance. Social media platforms, particularly X, have buzzed with criticism, with many residents calling the two-hour cap unrealistic. “Two hours? I can’t even get through my emails in that time,” one user posted. Others argue that the measure, however well-intentioned, infringes on personal autonomy. Over a four-day period following the announcement, town officials reported receiving 83 phone calls and 44 emails, 80% of which opposed the plan, according to the Mainichi Shimbun.
The backlash underscores a tension familiar to the digital age: balancing technology’s benefits with its risks. Smartphones are indispensable tools for work, education, and connection, yet studies increasingly highlight their downsides. Excessive screen time has been linked to anxiety, reduced attention spans, and disrupted sleep patterns—issues that Toyoake’s leaders hope to address. The proposal follows a 2020 ordinance in another Japanese region that limited children’s gaming to one hour on weekdays, a move that also sparked debate but ultimately gained traction.
Mayor Koki has been quick to clarify that the ordinance is meant to spark reflection, not enforce compliance. “Smartphones are essential, but we need to think about how and when we use them,” he said. He hopes the measure, if passed, will prompt families to set their own boundaries around screen time. The ordinance is slated to take effect in October, pending approval, and could set a precedent for other municipalities grappling with similar concerns.
