A government strategy drafted with Japan's graying society in mind proposes increasing the mandatory ages for retirement and eligibility for medical services, according to the draft outline obtained by Kyodo News.

The new plan, to be finalized Dec. 21 by the Cabinet, follows a review of the first outline, which was set in 1996 under the basic law on measures for the nation's aging society. For several years to come, the outline will serve as a guideline for formulating policies.

Japan's population is aging at an unprecedented speed -- faster than any other major industrial nation.