The problem of smartphone etiquette in cinemas
In recent years, the use of smartphones in cinemas has caused widespread discussion. When the audience is looking forward to enjoying a movie, they are disturbed by the ringing of the mobile phone or the bright screen, which greatly reduces the experience. Although cinemas remind the audience to turn off their mobile phones or switch to silent mode before the show, many people still ignore these reminders and continue to use their smartphones.
Call for the introduction of communication function suppression devices
In response to this problem, some people have proposed the introduction of communication function suppression devices in cinemas. These devices have been used in some classical music concerts and theaters to ensure that there is no interference from mobile phones during performances. However, why have these devices been slow to be introduced in cinemas?
Successful cases in concert halls and theaters
In the Imperial Theater in Tokyo, such suppression devices were installed about ten years ago to maintain a quiet environment in the theater. These signal jammer devices are only activated during performance time, affecting the mobile phone signal in the audience seating area, thereby preventing mobile phone ringing from interfering with the performance. Looking at the cinema, Keiji Kobayashi, deputy executive director of the Japan Federation of Film Producers, said that no cinema has yet introduced such a device.
Legal requirements for installing suppression devices
According to Article 4 of the Radio Law, anyone who wishes to install such a device must obtain permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. Although about 200 experimental stations across the country have been licensed for such equipment, none of them are cinemas. This means that even if there is no legal obstacle, cinemas do not seem to have applied to install such equipment.
