Japanese Town Proposes Two-Hour Daily Limit on Smartphones

A central Japanese town wants to limit smartphone use for all its 69,000 residents to two hours a day, in a move that has sparked intense debate on device addiction. From a report: The proposal, believed to be the first of its kind in Japan, is currently being debated by lawmakers after being submitted by Toyoake municipal government in Aichi earlier this week. Toyoake's mayor said the proposal -- which only applies outside of work and study -- would not be strictly enforced, but rather was meant to 'encourage' residents to better manage their screen time.

There will be no penalties for breaking the rule, which will be passed in October if approved by lawmakers. 'The two hour limit... is merely a guideline... to encourage citizens,' Toyoake Mayor Masafumi Koki said in a statement. 'This does not mean the city will limit its residents' rights or impose duties,' he said.

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