Toyoake Plans Japans First Citywide Screen Time Rules
Toyoake Considers Japan’s First Screen Time Guidelines for All Residents
TOYOAKE, JAPAN – Mayor Masafumi Koki has unveiled a proposal to introduce screen time guidelines for residents of Toyoake, making it the first city in Japan to suggest limits on digital device use for all age groups.
The mayor presented the idea during a plenary session of the city assembly, clarifying that the ordinance would not be legally binding and carries no penalties. “This is not about enforcement, it’s about encouraging better digital habits,” Mayor Koki emphasized.
Under the plan, elementary school students would be asked to stop using devices by 9 p.m., while middle school students and older residents would be encouraged to log off by 10 p.m. These recommendations align with national sleep health guidelines and aim to reduce the physical and mental health risks linked to prolonged screen exposure.
If approved, the ordinance would take effect on October 1, 2025. The move comes in response to a March 2025 survey by Japan’s Children and Families Agency, which revealed that young people in Japan spend more than five hours a day on smartphones, tablets, and computers during weekdays.
The proposal has sparked debate online. Some critics argue that a two-hour screen time limit is unrealistic, while others support the effort to raise awareness about digital wellness. Mayor Koki stressed that the measure is intended to encourage family discussions about device use, not to restrict personal freedoms.
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