Members of the task force will discuss ways to adjust the upper limit on the number of civil servants and issues related to personnel costs in case the age for retirement is extended from the current 60, sources familiar with the matter said.

A focal point will be whether to cut salaries drastically from the age of 60 or reduce wages of middle-aged and older workers from the current levels to prevent a sharp income decline after they turn 60, the sources said.

The government will make a careful study, because an increase in personnel costs for civil servants could draw fire from the public.

Bills to revise related laws, including the national civil service law, will be submitted to an extraordinary session of the Diet, Japan's parliament, seen to be convened in autumn next year, at the earliest, the sources said. (Jiji Press)