Aichi, Toyoake City: Proposal to Submit Ordinance Limiting Citizens to 2 Hours of Smartphone Use Per Day—Are High-Tech Devices "Evil," or Is It a Matter of How They're Used?

1. What's Happening? — Outline and Schedule of the Ordinance Proposal

Toyoake City has announced a proposal for an ordinance to set a guideline for "the use of smartphones and other devices during citizens' leisure time" to be "within 2 hours a day." This proposal will be submitted to the September regular session, opening on August 25, 2025. The city has stated that there will be no penalties. Both domestic and international media have reported on this proposal as a "duty to endeavor" type, targeting all residents. city.toyoake.lg.jpJapan Wire by KYODO NEWSThe Japan Times

Important: According to the city's official explanation, the target is leisure time, excluding work, study, and household chores. Activities such as commuting, referring to cooking or exercising, online learning, and even practicing for e-sports competitions are not considered leisure, as per the examples provided. city.toyoake.lg.jp

Additionally, the city explains that this is a conceptual ordinance with the intent to **"encourage limiting usage to this amount of time."** The reason for no penalties also lies here. ITmedia

2. Why Now? — Examining Japan's Screen Time Data

A government survey revealing that the average online time for Japanese youth on weekdays exceeded 5 hours for the first time (published in 2025) is the backdrop for this discussion. TV Asahi reports that one in three high school students spends over 7 hours online, and the Child and Family Agency's report also shows progress in smartphone ownership and dedicated devices. TV Asahi NewsCash Flow Advisor
This theme is repeatedly cited in English media, with the over 5 hours on weekdays being recognized as the current understanding. Phys.orgTaipei Times

3. "Is High-Tech Evil?" — Scientific Perspectives on "Quantity" and "Quality"

• Relationship with Sleep: It has been reported that blue light from smartphone use at night can suppress melatonin secretion, potentially delaying sleep onset (randomized crossover trials and reviews). However, the magnitude of the impact varies in studies, and stimulating content and time of use are also important behavioral factors. PubMedSleep FoundationOxford Academic
  
  

• Mental Health: There is an increasing number of studies showing a relationship between excessive screen time and anxiety and depressive symptoms, but the causal relationship is not uniform. Systematic reviews suggest that what and how it is used are key factors. PMCBioMed Central
  
  

• Eye Health (Myopia): A systematic review in 2025 suggested a dose-response relationship where the odds of myopia increase with each additional hour of screen time. Increasing outdoor activities is recommended as a countermeasure. JAMA Network
  
  

• International Guidelines: The WHO provides guidelines such as "screen time of no more than 1 hour (less is better)" for children under 5 years old. Meanwhile, since 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has not set "uniform minutes" for older children and teens, advocating for a Family Media Plan to manage the balance of content, time, sleep, and exercise. World Health Organizationaap.orgHealthyChildren.org
  
  

Conclusion: **"Tech ≠ Evil", but rather, "how it is used" and "context (time, content, compensatory behavior)"** affect health impacts — this is the consensus of the latest findings.

4. Confirming the Contents of the Ordinance Proposal with Primary Information (Points Prone to Misunderstanding)

• The target is "leisure time" only: Work, school, household chores, and learning are excluded. Commuting, referring to cooking or exercising, online learning, and e-sports practice are not counted. city.toyoake.lg.jp

• A "goal of endeavor" for all residents: Enforcement or fines are not anticipated. The conceptual nature of the ordinance is also explained by the city. ITmedia

• Legislative Procedure: The proposal will be submitted to the September regular session opening on August 25, 2025. Details on implementation will be provided by the city following approval (submission timing announced by the city). city.toyoake.lg.jp

5. Precedent: Differences from Kagawa Prefecture's "Internet and Game Addiction Prevention Ordinance"

The ordinance enacted by Kagawa Prefecture in 2020 targets those under 18 years old, setting "guidelines" of 60 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on holidays, as well as nighttime usage guidelines. There are no penalties. A 2022 ruling by the Takamatsu District Court denied unconstitutionality, determining that providing guidelines as a duty to endeavor does not immediately constitute a violation of rights. Toyoake City's proposal differs in that it targets all ages, encouraging "self-restraint" during leisure time. WikipediaJapan Wire by KYODO NEWSOfficial Court Website

6. International Comparison: The Concept of "Minor Mode" on Devices

In China, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) is advancing guidelines to incorporate minor mode, including age-based time limits and nighttime usage restrictions, into devices and operating systems (from proposal to implementation stage). While there is a strong element of uniform regulation, there is also discussion on allowing room for parental customization. Reuters##HTML_TAG