More u.s. troops accused of sex crimes in japan
The news came just hours after u.s. forces lifted restrictions imposed on troops based in japan's southern island of okinawa in response to a separate sexual assault case.
The three, crew members of the uss essex, an amphibious u.s. navy assault ship based in sasebo in the southern prefecture of nagasaki, are accused of taking the girls to a hotel last january and molesting them, kyodo news agency said.
The incident came to light recently after the girls told authorities at their school about the alleged attack, kyodo added.
Police confirmed they had sent papers to the prosecutors to allow proceedings against the three to begin, but declined to comment on the details of the incident.
The revelation marred an announcement by the u.s. military in japan that it had lifted all restrictions on troops on the southern island of okinawa, six months after a curfew was imposed in response to a sexual assault case involving a u.s. marine.
The u.s. forces imposed the curfew in july after the incident, in which marine lance corporal kenny k. titcomb molested a 14-year-old girl.
The restrictions were partially lifted in august, but drinking off-base after midnight was still prohibited.
"We're very grateful for the hard work and sincere efforts of all involved in finding ways to prevent incidents from taking place," general paul hester, the top u.s. commander in japan, said in a statement.
In september, titcomb, 19, was sentenced to a two-year jail term for molesting the girl after entering her home as she slept.
The incident revived memories of the rape in 1995 of a 12-year-old okinawan girl by three u.s. servicemen. that crime sparked a nationwide debate over the u.s. military presence, prompting calls from some politicians that it be downsized.
About 26,000 of the 48,000 u.s. military personnel in japan are stationed on okinawa. (Reuter)