A leading Japanese daily says North Korea is expected to soon ban foreign visitors.

The Sankei Shimbun quoted sources at the Japanese defense and foreign ministries as saying Sunday that Tokyo is trying to confirm a report that Pyongyang will announce Monday an entry ban on foreigners.

The report said the North had ordered its officials who often travel abroad to return to their respective missions overseas. Top members of a pro-North Korea association of ethnic Koreans in Japan, Chochongryon, were also told to refrain from going abroad.

The Sankei report came after another Japanese newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, said the North is set to make a major announcement soon.