TOKYO - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has detained two Japanese men on a visit to an industrial zone in the country, likely on suspicion of drug trafficking, Japanese media reported on Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources.

DPRK, which has no diplomatic ties with nearby Japan, initially held three Japanese men but one has already been released, the Asahi newspaper reported on its website.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said he is aware of news reports on the matter but declined to comment. "Due to the nature of this issue, I would like to refrain from commenting," he told a regular news conference.

People connected to the detained men, employees of a machinery maintenance firm who were in the Rason industrial zone to work with a local food processing company, have received a request to pay bail, the Asahi and public broadcaster NHK reported.