A Japanese teenager has had enough of time restricting guidelines proposed by the government. (And since we’re not talking about China – where there are similar or even more harsh rules that have to be kept -, he can do it without getting into trouble…)

The AFP news agency reported (and IB Times shared) that a seventeen-year-old teenager, whose name is Wataru, requested the help of a lawyer to change the guidelines issued by the Kagawa prefecture in Western Japan. There are a few ordinance limits. On weekdays, a maximum of one hour is recommended, and the school holidays don’t offer much more (one and a half hours). The smartphone limitations are also suggested: those children aged 12 to 15, they should not be allowed to use the phone after 9 PM, and for those between 15 and 18 should stop using it at 10 PM.

Wataru says he was inspired to challenge these limitations on principle. He set up a crowdfunding campaign to keep the suit going, and nearly 600 people have signed the petition since the guidelines were submitted in January to the local lawmakers. However, they ditched the time-limiting measures in March.

Tomoshi Sakka, Wataru’s lawyer says the ordinance violates the constitution of Japan. „How long children are allowed to play games or use a smartphone should be rules set by each family, not by the government. I thought it is wrong that an administrative body intervenes in family life,” Wataru says, adding that these guidelines have no scientific evidence.

„They are based on the premise that gaming is the cause of things like truancy and addiction to games, but it could be the other way around – truancy can be caused by problems in school, for example, and for some people playing games can be the only relief,” he continued.

We don’t know what will happen next, but it’s honourable to see someone stand up for themselves.

Source: VG247

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