The Toyoke municipality of Aichi province of Japan issued an ordinance asking all the residents to limit the use of smartphones. Local media said on Tuesday (September 23, 2025) that the municipal assembly of Toyoke has passed an ordinance to limit daily holiday-related screen time for all residents to two hours.
The purpose of this ordinance is to prevent excessive use of smartphones, personal computer and tablet devices. It was passed by a majority in the full session of the assembly. Effective from 1 October, it acts as a local law guidance. These students do not apply to office workers or people doing domestic work. Also, there is no provision of punishment for those who violate this ordinance.
Sleep is disrupting the use of smartphone
Quoting Toyoke Mayor Masafumi Kouki, Japan Times said that the ordinance is only one part of the health measures of the residents of the city. Its purpose is to tell the residents that excessive use of smartphones is disturbing their sleep as well.
He told reporters, ‘We are not rejecting the smartphone. This ordinance has also been designed to increase mutual dialogue between families and for primary school students and young children after 9 pm and junior high school students and other children below 18, they call for the use of smartphones and other gadgets after 10 pm.
Call to review ordinance
According to Japanese media reports, ‘Some residents have argued that the municipality should not interfere in family matters, while others have taken the step as an opportunity to discuss with family members. The municipal assembly has also passed a supplementary resolution, which has been called to review the ordinance if needed from the city on a regular basis and after examining the opinion of the residents.
According to the Nippon Television Network (NTV), during the previous discussions, the council members supporting the ordinance also repeatedly stated that the clarification given to the residents was insufficient. According to NTV reports, the city council also passed a supplementary resolution, including the ways to honor the diversity of the residents and the diversity of the domestic environment and provide clear and brief information to avoid misunderstandings. ‘
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