In line with Japan¡¯s child-care leave law, Aimee took a year off from her job as a business coach when her son was born last year. Having recently secured a place for her son at a public day-care center, she was looking forward to returning to work. On her first day back, however, Aimee¡¯s boss called her into his office and told her that her services were no longer required.

Considering that her boss had been cooperative in furnishing the proof-of-return-to-work documents she had needed to apply for her son¡¯s day care, this came like a bolt out of the blue.

¡°He said he wasn¡¯t confident that I could continue to be ¡®a good staff member.¡¯ What I gathered from the situation is that he had hired a new woman and he no longer needed me,¡± she says.