Japan, Philippines in final stages of talks on security aid - Japan govt spokesperson

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's top government spokesperson said on Wednesday that Japan is in the final stages of negotiations with the Philippines on what equipment to offer to Manila and when to sign an agreement under Tokyo's official security assistance programme.

The programme is aimed at helping boost deterrence capabilities of Tokyo's partner countries.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno made the comment to reporters ahead of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the Philippines on Friday.

(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)