Among the perennial problems facing Japan's married working women, one is particularly sticky — whether to continue working when their husbands are transferred by their companies to assignments elsewhere.

In many cases, women have had no choice but to give up their jobs and move with their husbands.

However, an increasing number of companies are introducing new systems so their female workers don't have to make this sacrifice. Doing so is good for the firms because it helps them hold onto their female employees, who have begun playing greater roles in the workplace.