Japan, mother almost smothers daughter

Hi,

I'm looking for the name of a book in which a woman is trapped in Japanese societal unwritten rules and expectations for mothers. She has a daughter, who she drops off at her in-laws regularly, a social worker comes to see her regularly too. I remember a scene were she leaves the daughter crying / having a fit but then comes back quickly. In the end, the social worker come just in time to save the girl from being smothered with a cushion by her mother.

I also remember a scene where the mother walks up her street with her kid and one or more old women watch her.

Thanks for your help!

I believe it is Motherhood" (母, Haha) by Kanae Minato.

>2 ivyounghorserider: No, I don't think so. The kid in my book is only 3 or 4 years old. and in Motherhood, the girl falls off a balcony, no?

Okay

Does Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima sound familiar?

No :(. The mother is married with a stereotypical japanese husband working late hours, expecting his beer and food when coming home but not getting involved in family life.