The government will conduct Japan's first large-scale survey on myopia among elementary and junior high school students, with the study set to begin as a digital device rollout nears its conclusion, education ministry officials said Monday.

Amid concerns over the increasing use of such devices and their potential impact on children's health, the ministry will survey 9,000 students ranging from first graders in elementary school to third-year junior high school students, in May and June.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology aims to come up with effective measures to protect children's eyes, as pathological shortsightedness can develop into serious diseases with the risk of sight loss in later life.