About a dozen former prosecutors are set to submit a letter expressing opposition to selectively postponing retirement for prosecutors, as is planned by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, amid growing criticism from the public and opposition parties, sources close to the matter said Thursday.
Members planning to submit the letter to the Justice Ministry include former Prosecutor General Kunihiro Matsuo, who was involved in investigations into the Lockheed payout scandal that led to the arrest of former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka in 1976.
The bill to amend the public prosecutor's office law, which has been under deliberation in parliament since last month, calls for raising the retirement age for prosecutors from 63 to 65. It will also allow prosecution executives to remain in their positions until age 66, beyond their retirement age of 63, with the Cabinet's approval.