Saitama, Japan: It was a little after 1.30pm and a male employee at Okuta Corp, a housing renovation firm in Saitama, Japan, placed a small pillow on his desk. He buried his face in the pillow and went to sleep while other employees continued working at their computers.

He wasn't shirking his responsibilities, he was using the company's "power-nap system," which grants employees the right to take a nap.

The office nap has become an important aid to improving efficiency in Japan. Credit:Rob Homer

An increasing number of companies have begun allowing their employees to nap at work, to maintain their performance levels and prevent mistakes by relieving drowsiness. Some cafes and massage parlours have also begun to offer napping spaces.

Okuta set up its system two years ago, at the initiative of company Chairman Isamu Okuta, to increase employees' work efficiency.