A group home in northern Japan has admitted that it proposed sterilization treatment if residents with intellectual disabilities hoped to get married or live together in the facility.

The operator of the care facility in Esashi Town, in Hokkaido, says it told them the home couldn't offer childcare services.

The Asunaro Social Welfare Service Corporation, which is also based in Esashi, says 16 residents, or eight couples, agreed and underwent the treatment. It said the proposals have been made for more than 20 years.

The head of the operator, Higuchi Hidetoshi, told a news conference on Monday that it has asked people with disabilities to make a choice about having children.

Higuchi said the home told them that it would cooperate if people wanted to have children, but it couldn't offer childcare services at the facility because it did not have the necessary experience.

He said no residents have left the group home for the reason of sterilization treatment.

Officials of the Hokkaido government are looking into the case by interviewing corporation officials.