Key Facts
• Toyoake City proposed a smartphone usage ordinance limiting leisure use to 2 hours daily.
• The ordinance, submitted in September 2025, is set to take effect on October 1 if approved.
• The rule applies to leisure time only and includes no penalties.
• Former bureaucrat Hiroyuki Kishi criticized societal reliance on smartphones, calling for self-regulation.
• Influencer and childcare worker Mr. Tee argued the ordinance ignores modern family dynamics.
• Businessman Takafumi Horie dismissed the ordinance as “nonsensical.”
• Former Nogizaka46 member Rena Yamazaki called the measure outdated and ineffective.
• Mayor Masanori Kofu clarified the 2-hour limit is a guideline, not a strict rule.
• The ordinance aims to encourage reflection on daily routines, including sleep, exercise, and family time.
Summary
Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture, has proposed a controversial ordinance recommending a daily 2-hour limit on smartphone use during leisure time. The measure, set for October 1 implementation if approved, has sparked widespread debate. Critics, including public figures, argue the ordinance is impractical and fails to address deeper societal issues like work-life balance and family dynamics. Mayor Masanori Kofu clarified that the 2-hour limit is merely a guideline, encouraging residents to reflect on their daily habits. While some see the ordinance as a step toward healthier lifestyles, others dismiss it as outdated and ineffective.
