Japan city pleased with impact of 2-hour guideline on screen use

Nagoya, a city in central Japan, has expressed satisfaction with the impact of an ordinance it introduced last October, urging residents to limit smartphone and game console use to two hours a day. According to a survey conducted by the city, about 5 percent of the 1,670 respondents who were aware of the ordinance reported a decrease in their screen use.

Mayor Masafumi Kouki, in a press conference about the findings, was surprised by the modest reduction in usage time, noting that even a 5 percent decrease was noteworthy. He emphasized the need for continued awareness-raising efforts. The ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in Japan, advises residents to limit non-work and non-school digital device use to two hours per day, without imposing penalties.

It comes amid growing international concern over the effects of excessive screen time, particularly on children's sleep, health, and family interactions. Other nations, including Australia and Indonesia, have taken steps to limit children's access to social media, while countries like Britain and Denmark have proposed similar age restrictions.

Following the survey, 27.1 percent of respondents said they had become more mindful of their screen time, while 11.1 percent mentioned discussing usage rules with family members. Additionally, 4.6 percent reported improved communication with family members, and 3.8 percent noted increased sleep duration. The survey, which included residents aged 16 to 80 and allowed multiple responses, was conducted in March and April, with 87.6 percent of participants aware of the ordinance.