Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat asked Japan on Saturday to pressure Israel to stop attacking Palestinians, Japanese lawmakers said.

Arafat made the call during a meeting in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank with House of Representatives members Goji Sakamoto of the ruling coalition-leading Liberal Democratic Party and Yuriko Koike of the New Conservative Party, an LDP ally.

Arafat called for Japan's support for Palestinians, they said.

The two lawmakers were set to meet Israeli officials Sunday to urge restraint in Israel's military actions in Palestinian areas.

The lawmakers told Arafat they hope he continues to exert leadership for the stability of the region. They also expressed hope that Palestinians will continue to abide by Arafat's call a week ago for the end of all armed attacks against Israel.

Islamic fundamentalist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said Friday they will suspend suicide bombings and other armed attacks against Israel.