Toyoake implements voluntary smartphone usage guidelines

The Japanese city of Toyoake has released initial results following its October 2025 recommendation for residents to limit non-essential digital device usage to two hours per day.

According to a survey of 1,907 residents aged 16 to 80, 87.6 percent were aware of the guideline. The initiative, which is voluntary and does not include penalties, aims to prevent screen time from displacing sleep, recovery, or family interaction. Results show that 27.1 percent of respondents are now more mindful of their device usage, while 5.1 percent reported a reduction in actual screen time.

The guideline excludes time spent for work, school, or commuting, serving as an orientation rather than a strict control mechanism.