French President Francois Hollande on Friday demanded the immediate release of two French journalists missing in Syria at a news conference after a meeting with Japanese Prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Hollande and Abe met in Tokyo at the prime minister's office during Hollande's three day state visit to Japan.

Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Hollande said contact with the two journalists had been lost.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT FRANCOIS HOLLANDE SAYING:

"We have indeed lost contact with these two journalists, but we do not yet know the exact circumstances. I will not give any information out that may endanger their lives but I demand the immediate release of these journalists because they do not represent any state. These are men who have worked so the world can get information."

Radio station Europe 1 said its reporter, Didier Francois, and photographer Edouard Elias had gone missing as they were headed for the northern Syrian cit