Toyoake City Proposes Two-Hour Smartphone Limit to Tackle Digital Addiction – August 28, 2025

Toyoake City Proposes Two-Hour Daily Smartphone Limit – August 28, 2025

On August 28, 2025, Toyoake City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, announced a controversial proposal to limit residents’ daily smartphone usage to just two hours outside of school and work. The initiative is aimed at addressing issues of digital addiction, sleep disorders, and the growing mental health concerns linked to excessive screen time. While the plan is not legally binding, it has already sparked intense debate nationwide.

Mayor Masafumi Koki clarified that the proposal is intended as guidelines, not strict regulations. Under the plan, children aged 6 to 12 would be advised not to use smartphones after 9 p.m., while older students and adults would be encouraged to stop after 10 p.m. Importantly, no penalties or fines are attached. Instead, the city wants families to reflect on their digital habits. As the mayor stated, “Smartphones are essential in modern life, but excessive use affects both physical and mental health.”

Public reaction, however, has been largely negative. According to city officials, nearly 80% of emails and phone calls received have opposed the measure, calling it unrealistic. On social media, criticism quickly spread, with many arguing that two hours is far too short. One resident said, “Two hours isn’t even enough to watch a single movie,” while another called the idea “completely detached from reality.” Still, some parents and health experts welcomed the discussion, saying that even voluntary guidelines could help raise awareness about the dangers of smartphone overuse.

This is not the first time Japan has experimented with such digital-use limits. In 2020, Kagawa Prefecture attempted to restrict children’s video game time through non-binding rules, which similarly ignited public debate. A recent March 2025 report revealed that Japanese children now spend an average of more than five hours online on school days—an alarming trend that continues to rise.

Medical experts warn that prolonged smartphone use is linked to insomnia, anxiety, lack of focus, and social isolation. The Toyoake City plan, therefore, is less about enforcement and more about encouraging healthier lifestyles in the digital era. If it succeeds, it could inspire similar initiatives in other Japanese cities. If it fails, it will still serve as a reminder of the growing challenges societies face as technology becomes ever more ingrained in daily life.

In the end, Toyoake’s proposal has raised an important question: should governments step in to curb digital habits, or should individuals and families take full responsibility for self-regulation? While the debate continues, one thing is clear—smartphone dependency is no longer a private issue, but a societal one.