Japan's defense minister says he plans to urge the new US ambassador to Japan to take steps to prevent sexual offenses involving US military personnel.



Nakatani Gen told reporters on Friday that he hopes to meet soon with Ambassador George Glass.



The move follows recent disclosures that police in the southwestern prefecture of Okinawa referred two cases of alleged sexual assault by US Marines to prosecutors in early April.



Nakatani said crimes and accidents involving US military personnel cause significant concern among local residents and should never occur.



He said he plans to call on the ambassador to make further efforts to educate US service members, enforce discipline and take thorough steps to prevent further incidents.



One of the recent cases involves a Marine in his 20s suspected of sexually assaulting a woman and injuring another who tried to protect the victim. The incident reportedly took place at a US military base in Okinawa in March.



The other case concerns another Marine in his 20s who allegedly sexually assaulted a female acquaintance in January. Prosecutors have decided not indict him, while the investigation into the other case is ongoing.