Japanese teenager plans lawsuit over gaming limit ordinance

In my day, it was TV. But, the idea that we, as minors, would bring it to court was ridiculous. So, this kid's parents want him to be able to play games after 10pm at night? What kind of parents are they? It's a tough call...but is a minor able to bring such a thing to court, or is it on behalf of his parents. Hmmm. I try to keep an open mind, and never wanted to be the kind of old guy who didn't understand the younger generation. But, do your homework! Study and go to bed. I am really surprised at how late kids stay up in Japan. In the US where I am from, if you go to a supermarket with a young kid late at night, people will even comment, "Why is he/she not in bed?" High school kids will often not even get back from juku until after 10pm here. Note to self: Keep an open mind...keep an open mind.

Games are actually far better for children than watching tv.

It depends what games they're playing and what tv programs they're watching.

waste of time energy and money any intelligent person knows japan legal racket is garbage

Just don't tell anyone that you're playing. It's not like the government has a camera in your bedroom. Yet...

Does your computer, phone, tablet, or other gaming device have a mic or camera on it? If so, then, yes, the government already has a mic or camera in your bedroom. It may be less likely that the Japanese government has set up a system to make use of your mic and camera than, say, the American or Chinese governments, but they could.

Even if the government doesn't, major tech companies do.

And did you read the article? It seems that some online gaming servers are enforcing the Kagawa ordinance. School age, location in Kagawa, and on after 10 p.m.? Boom, you're kicked out. Yeah, you could connect via a VPN and get around it, but why should anyone have to do that?

Yes, gaming can be abused and become obsessive. So can gambling, but I don't see the Kagawa cronies rushing to shut down pachinko parlors. So can sex, but they're not banning that. So can alcohol, but the prefecture isn't going dry.

Honestly, the Kagawa government would save a lot more lives by requiring and enforcing baby seats or promoting bicycle helmets. The politicians are grandstanding on something that they think makes them look good, but they are wrong. Gaming doesn't make people antisocial. Many antisocial people are attracted to gaming, along with many normally social people. If these antisocial kids weren't obsessed with games, they would find some other hobby that they never have to leave their rooms to do. The kid suing is right. This is a matter for the family. The problems and issues start at home, long before a kid ever picks up a game, and they need to be dealt with in the home. Government regulation is only going to create a bunch of Kagawa teens whose attitude toward government laws is, "Meh, nonsense. Ignore." Want people to respect the law? Don't pass stupid laws.

Glad my kids are grown.

If there isn't a proven negative to health, then the govt shouldn't dictate anything.

Govts have guidelines for all sorts of things which we mostly ignore or discover later that the guidelines were created by some industry shill, not for the people's health, but for that industry.

In a way, I do agree with him in that the city or government shouldn't be dictating how much can kids or teenagers could be online. The job title for that is called "parenting." On the other side, these are just guidelines that you could either follow or not, with absolutely zero repercussions. If Amazon asks you "are you at least 18" when accessing games rated "Z," you just click "yes" with absolutely zero repercussions.

If this goes on, then there will other Rights such as 'No dress' or 'Naked Fashion' Rights and even 'Sex Freedom Anyplace, Anytime but just not Anyone' Rights.

So there should be limit for children. Can u just not wait until legal age? Then u have freedom to play games all day and night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is12anYx2Qs

Games and smart phones are a real conspiracy! Just see how everyone on the train is absorbed on the smartphone, It destroys our eyesight and brains. Read a book! Children should not be able to file lawsuits. Unless the LDP wants to lower the voting age to 17... #Brainwashing

"The ordinance calls for children to be limited to an hour a day of gaming during the week, and 90 minutes during school holidays."

And yet, before Covid-19 there were no such rules at all, and there are no such rules of any kind for adults. Heck, they are allowed to watch alligator videos during DIET sessions, they are so addicted to the Internet. You know what? I say, let them keep this ordinance, but let them add one where adults are allowed one hour of television or the Internet (including games) per day -- they can choose which. The rest of the time MUST be spent with no televisions, smart phones or regular cell phones (sorry, not even for business! That's the law now), and instead family members must engage in conversation with one another at dinner and in hallways, bedrooms, and out in the yard. Oh! And one alcoholic beverage per day, max, to cut down on dependence. I mean, we can keep going, too, but I think it would be a hard "no" if you suggested families talk to each other over dinner instead of listening to the TV.

Waste of time and money to litigate a non enforceable guideline. It's about as pointless as suing the FDA because you want to eat less than the recommended vegetables per day.

What the hell?

Is this a dictatorship? What a horrible law! He is correct

A movie is typically 2 hours long, but no suggested limitation on watching them.

Games are actually far better for children than watching TV.

Go Wataru Go .

A refreshing article. I am glad to read about someone who does not accept "shikataganai".

This is the type of motivation I want to see from children here. Good job kid.

These are just guidelines, not enforced and not punishable. And as a father of three, I know that computer game dependence is quite serious among Japanese children, so I see the point of these guidelines

Bravo.

Just don't tell anyone that you're playing. It's not like the government has a camera in your bedroom. Yet...

What a bizarre ordinance in a country where you have so much freedom (and I am not being sarcastic.)

Good luck kid