BEIJING (Kyodo) -- A Japanese business delegation urged Beijing on Monday to "facilitate conditions for China visits," apparently referring to the detention of foreign nationals over spying allegations in the country, the head of the group told reporters after meeting with Vice President Han Zheng.

Takeshi Niinami, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, also said that the group, comprised of some 20 members, called on Beijing to ease visa conditions and expressed hope that many Chinese people will visit Osaka for the World Expo next year.

China has yet to revive the pre-COVID unilateral practice of exempting Japanese short-term visitors from visa requirements, although it has given such preferential treatment to a number of other countries, including South Korea.

At present, five Japanese nationals remain in custody in China on suspicion of espionage.

Niinami said the delegation did not discuss the stabbing incidents earlier this year in Suzhou and Shenzhen, which caused casualties among Japanese nationals, raising concerns within the expatriate community in China.

In his opening remarks, Han said Sino-Japanese relations are at a "crucial point where we inherit the past and open the way to the future" and called on the business group to keep functioning as a "bridge" between the two countries to promote economic and trade exchanges and deepen cooperation between companies.

Han also voiced support for the Osaka Expo, according to Niinami. The event will open in April next year and run through October.

The business delegation is on a three-day trip to China through Tuesday, during which members will also travel to Shanghai. It marks the first time since 2016 that the association chief has joined a China visit, according to the group.