Japanese Gen Z Tries 2-Hour Daily Phone Limit in Toyoake’s Bold Experiment

In Toyoake, a city in central Japan, local officials have introduced a non-binding guideline urging residents — especially young people — to limit smartphone use to two hours per day. The experiment is aimed at tackling screen addiction, sleep disruption, and mental health issues. 

Gen Z participants in the Guardian challenge revealed wide variation in success. Some cut usage dramatically — from eight hours to under two — and filled the extra time with reading, exercise, or deeper social interaction. Others struggled, especially during commutes or habitual checks. 

The proposed limit comes with no penalties; it’s meant to provoke self-reflection, not enforcement. Mayor Masafumi Koki defended it as a tool to stimulate awareness. Even critics suggest its strength lies in sparking community conversations about healthy tech habits rather than imposing control. 

Residents offered mixed reactions. Some praised the chance to “reclaim” time and awareness, while others viewed it as impractical or out of touch with modern digital lifestyles. Still, many acknowledged the effort as a meaningful start to balancing life and smartphone reliance.