Walkie, no talkie: Japan city launches pedestrian smartphone ban

A man uses his phone while walking across the pavement in Yamato, Kanagawa prefecture on July 1, 2020. - The suburban city of Yamato on July 1 launched an official ban on a scene repeated the world over: pedestrians glued to their phones while walking -- a first in tech-crazy Japan. - AFP

YAMATO, Japan (AFP): A Tokyo suburb on Wednesday (July 1) imposed Japan's first ban on a habit seen around the world: pedestrians glued to their phone screens while walking, sometimes dangerously oblivious to their surroundings.

Visitors arriving at the railway station in Yamato City were greeted with banners announcing the new prohibition, which applies to all foot journeys around the neighbourhood's public roads, squares and parks.