The local government in Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has recommended that residents limit their daily personal smartphone usage time by two hours.
According to the "South China Morning Post," this rule will take effect on October 1, 2025, and is not mandatory but rather a recommended behavior.
The document particularly emphasizes time limits for children and teenagers: elementary school students are recommended not to use their phones after 9:00 PM, and older students are recommended not to use them after 10:00 PM.
Mayor Masafumi Koki stressed that this initiative is not aimed at controlling the population but at fostering healthy and beneficial habits. According to him, this recommendation will help improve citizens' sleep quality and strengthen family relationships.
Approved by the Toyoake City Council on September 22, this decision is considered the first official recommendation in Japan's history regarding overall screen time for the population. At the same time, it promises to respect citizens' lifestyles and analyze feedback on this policy.
For reference, in 2024, people in Japan used their phones for an average of 1 hour and 47 minutes per day—one of the lowest rates in the world.
