The number of children waiting to enter day care facilities rose in April as surging demand outstripped an increase in openings, the government said Friday.

The number of unsuccessful applications for day care spots stood at 23,553, climbing 386 from a year ago and marking the second consecutive yearly increase.

Waiting lists grew despite the creation of roughly 95,000 more day care slots this year, according to a report by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.