TOKYO -- Japan is studying the feasibility of sending a special envoy to related countries to help end hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, Kyodo News said Friday.

Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session that Tatsuo Arima, special envoy on the Middle East peace talks, may be dispatched to "hold close talks with countries concerned" as Japan is currently a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, according to Kyodo.