In Japan’s Drill With the U.S., a Message for Beijing An officer watched as Marines and Japanese soldiers were transported during an annual joint exercise called Iron Fist in Camp Pendleton, Calif. By HELENE COOPER American military officials insisted an annual exercise, called Iron Fist, had nothing to do with a dispute over islands, but this year, the Japanese team came packing.

In Japan’s Drill With the U.S., a Message for Beijing

By HELENE COOPER

American military officials insisted an annual exercise, called Iron Fist, had nothing to do with a dispute over islands, but this year, the Japanese team came packing.