Japanese town wants residents to limit smartphone use to two hours a day

The Japanese town of Toyoake is debating a non-binding measure that would urge residents to limit their smartphone use to two hours a day. Photograph: Keiko Iwabuchi/Getty Images

A town in Japan is to urge all residents to restrict their smartphone use to two hours a day in an attempt to tackle online addiction and sleep deprivation.

Officials in Toyoake, Aichi prefecture, said the measure would target not only children but also adults, amid growing concern about the physical and psychological toll excessive smartphone use is taking on people of all ages.