Japan's ruling coalition said Sunday that any dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces to help with the reconstruction of Iraq would require the approval of the war-torn nations' neighbors.

Members of the three ruling parties -- the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- debated the issue with opposition lawmakers on an NHK TV program.

"The SDF could and should take part if all (those concerned), including the Arab nations, welcome this," said Fumio Kyuma, acting chairman of the LDP's Policy Research Council. "But any such SDF dispatch should be considered carefully amid growing anti-U.S. sentiment."