Michika Kato, 27, a mother of a 1-year-old boy, works for up to two hours on her computer at home while her baby is playing on his own or sleeping.

Kato, who works at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. and is currently on maternity leave, can't find a slot at day care for her son so she has no clue as to when she can return to work full time. The shortage of day care slots remains a serious problem, leaving many children on waiting lists.

"It is a good opportunity to have a glimpse at how everyone in the office is doing," Kato said.