Toyoake, Japan Proposes Two-Hour Daily Screen Time Limit

The city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, has proposed a pioneering ordinance recommending that residents limit their daily screen time on smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, and PCs to two hours during free time, excluding work and academic activities. The proposal aims to address health concerns such as sleep disorders and reduced family communication, with specific guidance for children to stop device use after 9 p.m. and teens after 10 p.m. While the ordinance carries no penalties and is intended as a guideline, it has sparked significant public debate and criticism, with about 70% of public comments opposing it as unrealistic and overly intrusive. Mayor Masafumi Koki emphasized the ordinance’s advisory nature and the essential role of digital devices in daily life, while critics argue that without enforcement, the ordinance lacks effectiveness. The ordinance would be the first of its kind in Japan to address screen time limits citywide and could take effect in October if approved. This move follows similar regional efforts, such as Kagawa Prefecture's 2020 ordinance limiting children's gaming time, which also faced public scrutiny.