Extending the age of retirement is normal in a society where people are living much longer than past generations, with many even reaching the "100-year life." But the issue of raising the mandatory retirement age for public prosecutors should be treated with utmost care.
A proposed legal revision that would raise the retirement age for prosecutors became the center of controversy this week when it was taken up by the Lower House. Unlike officials in other administrative organizations, prosecutors have wide powers to investigate, arrest and indict anyone, even prime ministers and other high officials. They must remain highly neutral and independent from other authorities and political powers. Since the proposed revision could allow the Cabinet to intervene in the personnel affairs of prosecutors' offices, many experts fear it could jeopardize the independence of prosecutors and the separation of powers.
It is deeply disturbing that the ruling coalition is trying to push this change through the Lower House this week. Ample time should be given for discussion of a bill as important as this, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should sincerely address the public's concerns over it.