A government-led campaign began Monday to encourage more companies to introduce telecommuting, with hopes that letting employees work away from the office could help ease traffic congestion during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Around 2,000 companies and organizations are expected to join the "Telework Days" promotion, which will run through Friday. But experts say many companies remain reluctant to spend money on video teleconference systems and other necessary infrastructure.

The initiative, which has been joined by some 950 organizations, was launched by the government last year. The date on which the 2020 Games will open, July 24, has since been designated "Telework Day."