Government OKs plan to hike pension collection age to 71

The health ministry on Friday approved an outline for raising the optional age for tapping public pensions to 71 or older to address the national labor shortage stemming from Japan's falling birthrate and rapidly graying population. The ministry will consider revising the related laws in fiscal 2020 to encourage people in their 60s or older to continue working. The ministry's outline notes that older adults are physically healthier than previous generations and are highly motivated to continue working or participate in community activities. In addition, the outline says the government will review the "standardization of life stages according to age categories." "Depopulation in rural areas is expected as the pace of aging picks up. It is important to realize a society where people of all generations can widely and actively participate," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during a meeting on the issue Friday.