The head coach of Japan's national women's judo team has expressed his intention to resign after he was accused of physically abusing female judoists.

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday, Ryuji Sonoda expressed regret that his behavior, words and actions have caused trouble. He said he will no longer be able to be engaged in the training of the team.

He added it's hard for him to stay on as the head coach now that the issue has caught so much attention.

In December, 15 members of his team complained to the Japan Olympic Committee that he had physically abused them during a training camp. The 15, including Olympic athletes, asked for better coaching.

On Wednesday, the All Japan Judo Federation offered an apology over the matter and announced that Sonoda had been reprimanded.

At Thursday's news conference, Sonoda said he did not want to comment on the alleged physical abuse as it is now being re-investigated. But he said he had never thought that what he did would constitute violence and he just wanted his athletes to do better.

Sonoda offered an apology to the athletes with whom he said he failed to build up mutual trust.

Sonoda belongs to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. The police department began questioning him on Wednesday about the issue. It says it will punish him if it is judged to be necessary.

Jan. 31, 2013 - Updated 11:02 UTC (20:02 JST)