Japan has urged Israel to suspend its assault on the besieged Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian assistance inside, according to Reuters.

The request was made in a meeting between Japan’s state minister for foreign affairs and Israel’s ambassador to Japan late last night, according to a statement by the ministry.

As part of its effort to calm the Middle East conflict, the Japanese government is making final arrangements to send Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to Israel and Jordan on Nov 2-5, The Asahi Shimbun daily reported.