Japan’s relatively low average smartphone usage conceals growing vulnerabilities to screen addiction among specific groups, particularly young people and working adults. Smartphones have become essential to daily life, supporting communication, online shopping, information access and health monitoring, while delivering major social and economic benefits. However, increasing reliance has raised concerns about excessive use and its effects on physical health, mental well-being, social relationships and productivity.
Globally, smartphone use continues to rise. In 2024, the number of devices reached 4.5 billion, with average daily usage exceeding five hours in countries such as the Philippines, Brazil, South Africa and the United States. Prolonged screen time has been linked to health issues including impaired vision, sleep disorders, reduced concentration and potential effects on brain development. In response, governments worldwide are introducing safeguards, particularly for children. Finland has implemented restrictions on mobile device use in schools, joining countries such as France, Italy, the Netherlands and China, with South Korea set to follow. Australia and Norway have also introduced age limits on social media use.
In Japan, average smartphone use stands at just under three hours per day. While modest by international standards, its impacts are increasingly visible. A 2024 Cabinet Office survey found that heavier smartphone users were more likely to experience loneliness. Smartphone addiction—characterized by a loss of control that disrupts school, work or daily life—is becoming a significant social concern. Estimates suggest it affects around 10% of high school students and 25% of university students, illustrating how national averages can mask deeper vulnerabilities.
To address these challenges, Japan has introduced more concrete initiatives in 2025. The city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture enacted the country’s first municipal ordinance offering guidelines for smartphone use. Although non-binding, it recommends limiting leisure-time use to two hours per day and setting evening cut-off times for children, encouraging family dialogue and self-regulation.
Medical responses are also emerging. Tokyo has opened Japan’s first outpatient clinic specializing in “smartphone dementia,” a condition involving temporary memory and concentration problems caused by information overload. Together, these efforts reflect broader attempts to safeguard psychological well-being while maintaining the benefits of digital connectivity.
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https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/10/japan-smartphone-addiction/