Title: Discussion
To the members of ESS
Practice on the 13th of September is the discussion below. I hope you’ll have your opinions about this issue.
Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture Submits Draft Ordinance
"Limiting Smartphone and Other Device Use to Two Hours Per Day"
September 13th, 2025
Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture, submitted a draft ordinance to the city council on the 25th, encouraging residents to limit smartphone and other device use for purposes other than work and study to two hours per day. According to the city, this is the first ordinance in Japan to set a smartphone and other device usage guideline for all residents.
The draft ordinance, submitted to the Toyoake City Council, which opened on the 25th, states that prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and other devices not only leads to health problems such as sleep deprivation, but also negatively impacts home environment by shortening family conversations, potentially hindering children's healthy development.
Furthermore, stating that these negative effects are an issue not only for children but for a wide range of generations, the ordinance urges all residents and children under the age of 18 attending school in the city to limit smartphone and other device use for purposes other than work, study, and housework to two hours per day.
The ordinance also sets out time limits for smartphone use by children under 18, stipulating that elementary school students and younger must limit their use to 9pm, and junior high school students and older must limit their use to 10pm. This also applies to gaming devices and computers, and encourages parents to make efforts to properly manage their children's smartphone use and to set rules at home. If passed, it will come into effect on October 1st and become the first smartphone usage ordinance in the country.
The ordinance does not have any binding force or penalties. However, between the 21st of this month and noon on the 25th, the city received a total of 110 phone calls and emails regarding the ordinance, with around 70% expressing opposition.
By Yamamoto