They looked like any other job recruiting seminar. Company officials asked job seekers their perceived strengths and in return were asked what kind of people they want to hire.

But one seminar held in mid-September in Tokyo targeted people with disabilities, while another highlighted Asian students in Japan who want to work for a Japanese company.

Amid Japan's chronic labor shortage, companies are seeking a diversified workforce, including people with mental illness and foreign nationals, in an effort to expand their business overseas.